What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ozokerite, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C10-18 Triglycerides, Mica, Microcrystalline Wax, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Polyisobutene, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 15850, CI 77742, CI 45410
Trimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane
Emollient
Diphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Isohexadecane
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Isohexadecane, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethyl Vanillin, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 73360, CI 15985, CI 45410, CI 19140, CI 17200, CI 15850, CI 42090
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, 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 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 77891Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobutenePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol
