What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiisooctyl Succinate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hectorite
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMaleated Soybean Oil Glyceryl/Octyldodecanol Esters
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Cellulose Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisooctyl Succinate, Dimethicone, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Hectorite, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, CI 77491, CI 77499, Isononyl Isononanoate, Maleated Soybean Oil Glyceryl/Octyldodecanol Esters, Mica, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Niacinamide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, CI 77891, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Limonene
Titanium Dioxide 5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 15%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsohexadecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Titanium Dioxide 5%, Zinc Oxide 15%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Silica, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tocopherol, P-Anisic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin
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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Isononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
