What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveC9-12 Alkane
SolventTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
Masking3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Extract
PerfumingJojoba Esters
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Polysilicone-11
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, C9-12 Alkane, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Propanediol, Mica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Chloride, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Jojoba Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Polysilicone-11, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Isostearate
EmulsifyingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Squalane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Propanediol
SolventSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-4
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberCetyl Palmitate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Oxide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Isostearate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Squalane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propanediol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Polyglycerin-4, Glycerin, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Cetyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Maltodextrin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Citric Acid, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 77891Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is an emulsifer and emollient. It comes from Isostearic Acid and Polyglycerin-3.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize products by preventing oils and water from separating.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 DiisostearatePolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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