What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butter
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Butter, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Oleyl Alcohol, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Beeswax, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Isostearyl Isostearate, Polyisobutene, Ozokerite, Polyethylene, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Alumina, BHT, Parfum
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polybutene
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Hydrogenated Rosinate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Tribehenin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polybutene, Synthetic Wax, Pentaerythrityl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Mica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Silica, Tribehenin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Alumina, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 15850
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina (aka aluminum oxide) is an inorganic mineral powder refined from bauxite that works as a quiet workhorse in a formula.
It shows up often as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking, bulking, and viscosity-controlling agent.
One of its most common jobs is acting as a pigment carrier and dispersant.
Alumina platelets are often blended with inorganic sunscreens like Titanium Dioxide (or with colorants) and then coated with a silicone such as Triethoxycaprylylsilane so the pigment spreads evenly and smoothly.
In makeup, it can also double as a light-diffusing powder or oil absorber to keep formulas from looking greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded alumina to be safe in present practices of use and concentration.
They note it's a stable, oxidized compound and scientific research has failed to establish links to health issues.
Concentrations vary depending on the product:
Learn more about AluminaBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Octyldodecanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
