What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Iron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Lauroyl Lysine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Propylene Carbonate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polybutene
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Polybutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lecithin, Lauroyl Lysine, Triheptanoin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, C9-12 Alkane, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Caprylic/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 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 77891This ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
Learn more about Lauroyl LysineOctyldodecanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic Wax
