What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Triisostearyl Citrate
EmollientPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Polybutene
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dioscorea Opposita Root Extract
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDatem
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Myristate
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, Triisostearyl Citrate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Synthetic Wax, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Mica, Diisostearyl Malate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Silica, Polybutene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Octyldodecanol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Dioscorea Opposita Root Extract, Kaolin, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 45410, CI 42090, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Datem, Maltodextrin, CI 19140, CI 75470, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Synthetic Beeswax, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aluminum Hydroxide, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopherol, CI 15985, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Magnesium Myristate, Magnesium Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77007
Isododecane
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingUndecane
EmollientSucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTridecane
Perfuming
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Alumina
Abrasive
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Undecane, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Carbonate, Tridecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Glycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Alumina, CI 15850, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexyl 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 a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
