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
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Kaolin
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Triethylhexanoin, Boron Nitride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Kaolin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Nonapeptide-1, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Oxide, 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.
This ingredient is lipid-based synthetic skin-conditioning agent derived from adipic acid and a mixture of fatty acids. It is often called a lanolin substitute.
As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Due to its fatty acid base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2This 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 TriglycerideDiisostearyl 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.
Hydrogenated Castor Oil is created by adding hydrogen to castor oil. This helps stabilize the castor oil and raises the melting point. At room temperature, hydrogenated castor oil is solid.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
As a wax-like substance, Hydrogenated Castor Oil acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin stay soft and smooth by creating a barrier. This barrier helps trap moisture.
Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Castor OilPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is derived from isostearic acid. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
The highest concentration of this ingredient is found in lipsticks.
This ingredient is minimally water soluble and may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearateRicinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilSodium 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 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.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
