What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Synthetic Wax, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octyldodecanol, Paraffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Cera Microcristallina, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Carbonate, Isostearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyisobutene
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Titanium Dioxide, Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Microcrystalline Wax, Bisabolol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCaprylic/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 TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateWe don't have a description for Isodecyl Neopentanoate yet.
Isopropyl Myristate is an ester made by combining isopropyl alcohol with myristic acid.
It is primarily an emollient and penetration enhancer that gives products a lightweight, silky feel without the heaviness of oils.
This ingredient is generally considered non-toxic, non-irritating, and has low absorption potential.
You might have heard that this ingredient clogs pores. This reputation comes from the older rabbit ear studies which are more sensitive than human skin to clogging.
Dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos has also confirmed in a peer-reviewed paper that products containing comedogenic ingredients are not necessarily comedogenic themselves.
A small subset of people (~2%) may experience contact sensitivity so patch testing is a reasonable idea if you have reactive skin.
Since this ingredient is an ester of myristic acid (a C14 fatty acid), it falls within the carbon chain range that is known to feed Malassezia. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateIsostearic Acid is a fatty acid and a structural cousin of stearic acid. It is an emulsifier.
The branched structure of this ingredient enhances fluidity and gives it a lighter, less greasy feel compared to other fatty acids. It helps improve texture and consistency because it prevents oil and water phases from separating.
This ingredient is sourced from plant-based oils like soybean or rapeseed.
Clinical studies found no signs of irritation from this ingredient.
Since Isostearic Acid is an 18-carbon fatty acid, it is in the range that Malassezia can feed on. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might have seen sources that this ingredient is comedogenic. This is because the original comedogenic tests (on rabbit ears, which are more sensitive than human skin) tested
The Kligman/Fulton rabbit ear papers actually tested the ester, Isopropyl Isostearate and not Isostearic acid itself. There has been no comedogenic testing done on this ingredient, but it may be worth patch testing if you have acne-prone skin.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate is a plant-derived emulsifier made by combining glycerin and ricinoleic acid.
It works well for giving buttery lip balms and low-viscosity water-in-oil emulsions a non-greasy and pleasant skin feel.
Typical concentrations range from 0.1-3%.
This ingredient is mild and non-irritating in nature.
Because it is derived from ricinoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidThis 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/DicaprateSynthetic 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.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic Wax
