What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientParaffin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Paraffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ozokerite, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Cera Microcristallina, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 15850
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ozokerite, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 45380
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 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 77891Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil is from the seeds of the meadowfoam plant. It is a skin conditioning agent and emollient that sits on top of skin to soften and hydrate it.
Over 98% of the oil is made up of long-chain fatty acids, mostly aachidic acid (61%), docosenoic acid (~16%), and docosadienoic acid (~18%).
This combination is not really found in any other plant oil and is the reason this is one of the most stable botanical oils available.
Some studies show it to be more stable than jojoba oil, helps a product resist going rancid, and can help extend the shelf life of a formula.
It also naturally contains vitamin E and phytosterols that give it a mild antioxidant benefit.
This ingredient is typically used from around 1% to fairly high levels since it's gentle; it's well-tolerated and low on the irritation scale.
Learn more about Limnanthes Alba Seed OilOzokerite is a naturally occuring mineral wax. In cosmetics, ozokerite is used as a texture enhancer.
Ceresin wax is derived from this ingredient.
The melting point of ozokerite is 58-100 C.
Ozokerite is found all over the world including Scotland, the US, and India.
Learn more about OzokeritePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolTocopheryl 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