What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 5%
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide 2.9%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 5.1%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTribehenin
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingJojoba Esters
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingIron Oxides
Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 5%, Titanium Dioxide 2.9%, Zinc Oxide 5.1%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glyceryl Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Diisostearyl Malate, Sodium Chloride, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Acacia Senegal Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Silica Silylate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Citronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diisostearyl Malate, C9-12 Alkane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Silica Silylate, Sodium Chloride, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Lecithin, Silica, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mica, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Citral
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDiisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This ingredient is an emulsifier. It is created from Polyglycerin-3 and Ricinoleic Acid.
As an emulsifier, it prevents waters and oils from separating. According to a manufacturer this ingredient is fully biodegradable.
This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis due to its Ricinoleic Acid base. Ricinoleic Acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideStearalkonium Hectorite is a clay-derived ingredient used to thicken a product and help create a gel-like texture.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides