What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Hoya Lacunosa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Hydrogenated Didecene, Mica, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hoya Lacunosa Flower Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Diamond Powder, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides, CI 77891, CI 77163
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methicone
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Ozokerite, Mica, Ceresin, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Synthetic Wax, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Pentylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Diamond Powder, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Water, Butylene Glycol, Cera Microcristallina, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Isostearyl Alcohol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Methicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 TriglycerideThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 77891Citric 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 AcidDiamond Powder is an exfoliant.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractThough this ingredient might sound like a juicy fruit extract, it's actually the fat pressed from the mango seed kernel (or the pit).
In skincare, it behaves more like shea butter and cocoa butter than like a plant active.
The fatty acid makeup of mango seed butter makes it special; it's typically rich in stearic acid and oleic acid, with small amounts of palmitic and linoleic acid.
This combo helps it melt on skin, feel creamy, and leave behind a protective "seal" that slows down water loss.
It also contains a small amount of "extras" like tocopherols (vitamin E) and phytosterols, which are often used to support skin soothing.
Due to its fatty acid content (like oleic acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. In vitro studies have shown that Oleic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
Learn more about Mangifera Indica Seed ButterMica 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 MicaPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
