What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Acetate
PerfumingNitrocellulose
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
MaskingAdipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingAcrylates Copolymer
N-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-1
UV AbsorberDiacetone Alcohol
MaskingFluorescent Brightener 367
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHexanal
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine
Skin ProtectingLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningAcer Rubrum Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Methionine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantViola Odorata Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeButyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, N-Butyl Alcohol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Water, Benzophenone-1, Diacetone Alcohol, Fluorescent Brightener 367, CI 77891, Hexanal, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Glycerin, Methylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Acer Rubrum Extract, Acetyl Methionine, Citric Acid, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Viola Odorata Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate
Ethyl Acetate
PerfumingButyl Acetate
MaskingNitrocellulose
Acrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventTosylamide/Epoxy Resin
N-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingAcetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingBenzophenone-1
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientApium Graveolens Seed Extract
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningAdipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
Amethyst Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15880
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantEthyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Tosylamide/Epoxy Resin, N-Butyl Alcohol, Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Benzophenone-1, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Water, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Amethyst Extract, Biotin, Tocopherol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, CI 77891, CI 15880, CI 60725, CI 15850, CI 77510
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate is a fragrance.
We don't have a description for Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer yet.
Benzophenone-1 absorbs UV.
We don't have a description for Butyl Acetate yet.
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 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 77891Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidEthyl Acetate is a fragrance.
Isopropyl Alcohol is a small, fast-evaporating alcohol.
Formulators use it as a solvent, a way to think out thick liquids, an antifoaming agent, and occasionally a fragrance ingredient.
Reported use concentrations run from 0.002%-100% and any number over 50% usually comes from a nail product.
Actual skincare numbers run much lower: cleansers (0.3-26%), toners (0.07-7%), face moisturizers (0.04-0.2%).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it is safe in the present practices of use and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a non-carcinogenic to humans.
True allergy to this ingredient is uncommon but real: 44 out of 1,450 patients patch tested between 1992-2011 reacted with most cases clustering in people with leg ulcers, occupational hand eczema, or repeated use of Isopropyl Alcohol on already-broken skin.
Irritation and dryness are far more likely than allergy; before you throw away your skincare, just know this is dose-dependent and the risk is modest.
The irritant potential of the alcohols used in hand antiseptics is very low and skin irritation is significantly lower after alcohol application than after detergents (though isopropanol is somewhat more irritating than ethanol).
A 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests so the industry keeps this ingredient at low percentages in eye-area products.
One genuine caution: a 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests, so it belongs at low percentages in eye-area products, which is where the industry already keeps it.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholN-Butyl Alcohol is a fragrance and is an alcohol.
We don't have a description for Nitrocellulose yet.
Water. 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 Water