What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Isostearate, Silica, Synthetic Wax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77891, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77491, Parfum, CI 77499, CI 15850, Tin Oxide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, CI 19140, CI 15985
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSilica Silylate
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene, Diisostearyl Malate, Silica Silylate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 45410
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate is made up of calcium, aluminum, and silicates. It is a glass-like material. In cosmetics, it comes in the form of flakes or microspheres.
Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a bulking agent, meaning it helps thicken a product.
This ingredient is created by slowly mixing several minerals, including kaolin clay.
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Calcium Aluminum BorosilicateCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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 77891Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
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 SilicaTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
