What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Trioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolybutene
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientC10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParaffin
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveSilk Powder
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBenzoic Acid
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantTrioctyldodecyl Citrate, Ozokerite, Polybutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Mica, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffin, Microcrystalline Wax, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Polyethylene, Silk Powder, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzoic Acid, CI 42090, CI 75470, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 45410, CI 17200, CI 15850, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 15985
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientC10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberParaffin
Skin ConditioningPolybutene
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Cera Alba
EmollientCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveTribehenin
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingTin Oxide
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMethylparaben
PreservativeCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Paraffin, Polybutene, Cera Microcristallina, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Cera Alba, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Wax, Panthenol, Polyethylene, Silica, Tribehenin, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, BHT, Lactic Acid, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Methylparaben, CI 15850, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTBis-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-2C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters isn't fungal acne safe.
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 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ci 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 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 77891Ethylhexyl 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 an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateMica 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 MicaParaffin is a solid wax that pulls its weight as an emollient, occlusive, and consistency-booster.
It softens skin and lays down a protective film to slow water loss and gives products a stable body and structure.
The cosmetic grade stuff is highly refined with a solid safety record. The CIR Expert Panel has repeatedly reaffirmed this ingredient to be safe in current practices of use and concentration.
The worry about carcinogenic compounds only applies to industrial grades, not the purified version used in skincare.
Despite its reputation, the highly reformed form is non-comedogenic and doesn't penetrate deeply into skin.
The good news for fungal-acne prone folks: the Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids and lipids and paraffin doesn't contain any of these (so there's nothing for the yeast to metabolize). This ingredient is considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about ParaffinPolybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybutenePolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
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 SilicaSynthetic 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 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 Acetate