What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Fruit Oil
Astringent
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Geranium Maculatum Oil
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Glycine Soja Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Polyisobutene, Dicaprylyl Ether, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Citrus Reticulata Leaf Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Limonene, Citral
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Polyisobutene
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Polyisobutene, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexyl Stearate mainly acts as an emollient that helps hydate skin. It can also be used to reduce the greasiness of oils in a formula.
Because this ingredient contains a C18 fatty acid chain, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. This is because the Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on C11-C24 fatty acids.
This ingredient is an ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and stearic acid.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl StearateIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateIsopropyl Myristate is an ester made by combining isopropyl alcohol with myristic acid.
It is primarily an emollient and penetration enhancer that gives products a lightweight, silky feel without the heaviness of oils.
This ingredient is generally considered non-toxic, non-irritating, and has low absorption potential.
You might have heard that this ingredient clogs pores. This reputation comes from the older rabbit ear studies which are more sensitive than human skin to clogging.
Dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos has also confirmed in a peer-reviewed paper that products containing comedogenic ingredients are not necessarily comedogenic themselves.
A small subset of people (~2%) may experience contact sensitivity so patch testing is a reasonable idea if you have reactive skin.
Since this ingredient is an ester of myristic acid (a C14 fatty acid), it falls within the carbon chain range that is known to feed Malassezia. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristatePEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a synthetic, oil-loving helper ingredient that does two jobs:
This ingredient is made by joining three building blocks: PEG, Isostearic Acid and glycerin. The PEG gives it the oil-and-water blending power.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics and broader PEG family testing shows minimal irritation/sensitization. The molecule's large size also means it isn't expected to penetrate skin to any meaningful degree.
Fungal acne note: This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to isostearic acid (C18). Isostearic acid falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearatePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePolyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobuteneTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about Triethylhexanoin
