What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Behenyl Beeswax
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
Abrasive
Stearyl Beeswax
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Myristate
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Behenyl Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Ozokerite, Polyethylene, Stearyl Beeswax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Tropolone, Tin Oxide, Parfum, Limonene, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77742, CI 77007, CI 77510, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 15850, Magnesium Myristate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolysilicone-11
Silica
Abrasive
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Paraffin
Perfuming
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tristearin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriisostearyl Citrate
EmollientMagnesium Myristate
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-12
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Iron Oxides
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylyl Methicone, C10-18 Triglycerides, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Mica, Polysilicone-11, Silica, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alumina, Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Paraffin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tristearin, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triisostearyl Citrate, Magnesium Myristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-12, Jojoba Esters, Octyldodecanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tocopherol, Iron Oxides
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 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 a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateWe don't have a description for Magnesium Myristate yet.
Mica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaOctyldodecanol 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.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol 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
