What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Petrolatum
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Methyl Trimethicone, Polyethylene, Paraffin, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Dextrin Palmitate, Microcrystalline Wax, Isostearic Acid, Silica, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Petrolatum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77499
Isododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-15 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Nylon-6
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
CI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyethylene, Microcrystalline Wax, Dextrin Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Dextrin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-15 Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Nylon-6, Tocopherol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Isostearic Acid, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk, Iron Oxides, CI 77266
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dextrin Palmitate is an oil-loving texture helper made by bonding palmitic acid onto Dextrin. It's main roles are to turn liquid oils into spreadable gels and prevent ingredients from separating.
It also lends a silky, non-greasy slip that makes products feel more elegant.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.5-5%, but can go up to 10% depending on how firm the gel is.
Because it's an ester built on a fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Dextrin PalmitateIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneIsostearic Acid is a fatty acid and a structural cousin of stearic acid. It is an emulsifier.
The branched structure of this ingredient enhances fluidity and gives it a lighter, less greasy feel compared to other fatty acids. It helps improve texture and consistency because it prevents oil and water phases from separating.
This ingredient is sourced from plant-based oils like soybean or rapeseed.
Clinical studies found no signs of irritation from this ingredient.
Since Isostearic Acid is an 18-carbon fatty acid, it is in the range that Malassezia can feed on. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might have seen sources that this ingredient is comedogenic. The original comedogenic testing on rabbit ear actually tested the ester, Isopropyl Isostearate and not Isostearic acid itself. There has been no comedogenic testing done on this ingredient, but it may be worth patch testing if you have acne-prone skin.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polyethylene 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 SilicaTocopherol 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 TocopherolThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about Trimethylsiloxysilicate
