What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Pelargonate
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Linoleate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Isohexadecane, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Pelargonate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Pelargonate
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Linoleate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Copaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Isohexadecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Pelargonate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
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 Pelargonate is a fatty acid with nine carbon atoms. This is why it is also referred to as nonanoic acid.
Like other fatty acids, it has emollient properties that help hydrate the skin.
This ingredient comes from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and Pelargonic Acid.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PelargonateIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneIsopropyl Palmitate is a lightweight emollient made by combining isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
It is an emollient that leaves skin feeling smooth and silky without leaving a greasy feel.
Typical usage concentrations range from 1-5%.
Human testing shows it's non-irritating and non-sensitizing, and the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has cleared it at very high levels (79% in leave-on products).
The one thing worth knowing about its comedogenic score of 3-4 is to keep it in perspective: these ratings come from old rabbit-ear tests using 100% of pure ingredient and doesn't reflect how it behaves at low levels in a finished product.
Because it is an ester of palmitic acid (C16), it falls into the range that the Malassezia yeast can feed on and is considered not fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitatePentaerythrityl 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 HydroxyhydrocinnamateThis ingredient is an emollient designed to leave a non-greasy feel. It is also a skin conditioning agent and viscosity modifier.
Skin irritation studies for this ingredient (up to 80%) showed mimimal to no irritation.
One thing worth knowing: this ingredient may enhance the skin penetration of other ingredients.
Overall, this ingredient is a well-tolerated and lightweight emollient.
Learn more about Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/DicaprateSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateTocopheryl Linoleate is an antioxidant.
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
