What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriisostearyl Citrate
EmollientPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePolybutene
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDioscorea Opposita Root Extract
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDatem
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Myristate
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Squalane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
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
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolybutene
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveOctyldodecanol
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Mica, Ceresin, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 19140, CI 15850, CI 45410, CI 42090
Reviews
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 TriglycerideCi 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 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
CI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 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 77891This ingredient is a high molecular weight fatty acid ester. It has skin conditioning properties and is also used as an emollient, texture enhancer, and viscosity emulsifier.
Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybuteneSorbitan Sesquioleate is derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It is an emulsifier and prevents ingredients from separating.
Specifically, this ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier, meaning it helps water dissolve into oil.
Some studies suggest this ingredient may cause irritation in some people. If you are unsure, it is best to patch test.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe due to the oleic acid. In vitro studies have shown that Oleic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
Learn more about Sorbitan SesquioleateSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol 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