What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil
Masking
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Nicotinate
Antioxidant
Vanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aroma
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
CI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Oil, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopheryl Nicotinate, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Isostearic Acid, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Aroma, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Eugenol, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 42090, CI 77491, CI 77891
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Saccharin
MaskingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSargassum Pacificum Thallus Extract
EmollientGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Silica, Cera Microcristallina, Octyldodecanol, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium Saccharin, Isostearic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Water, Sargassum Pacificum Thallus Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 15850, CI 42090
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideCi 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ci 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 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 77891Hydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneIsostearic 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 AcidOctyldodecanol 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.
Water. 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
