What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
C13-15 Alkane
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningCocoglycerides
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Troxerutin
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMalic Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Carbonate
SolventStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantC13-15 Alkane, Water, Cocoglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Troxerutin, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Gluconolactone, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Maltodextrin, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Octyldodecanol, Calcium Gluconate, Malic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, CI 77491
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
PEG-8 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Cera Alba
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Petrolatum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Reviews
Alternatives
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 TriglycerideOctyldodecanol 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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
