What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMagnesium Sulfate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMethylparaben
PreservativeAcrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentAlumina
AbrasiveButylparaben
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Ozokerite, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Methylparaben, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Alumina, Butylparaben, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Silica, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, Mica
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Hydrogenated 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 PhenoxyethanolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol