What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Shorea Robusta Resin
TonicOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Ricinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Avena Sativa Leaf Extract
AstringentIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C15-19 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Silica, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Panthenol, Shorea Robusta Resin, Oryza Sativa Starch, Sodium Chloride, Octyldodecanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Dextrin Palmitate, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Squalane, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Polyglycerin-3, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ricinoleic Acid, Maltodextrin, Avena Sativa Leaf Extract, Isostearic Acid, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Zinc Oxide 12.6%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Opuntia Tuna Fruit
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 12.6%, Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, C9-12 Alkane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Mica, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Jojoba Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Reviews
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 77891Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsostearic 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 AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate is a plant-derived emulsifier made by combining glycerin and ricinoleic acid.
It works well for giving buttery lip balms and low-viscosity water-in-oil emulsions a non-greasy and pleasant skin feel.
Typical concentrations range from 0.1-3%.
This ingredient is mild and non-irritating in nature.
Because it is derived from ricinoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic 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 AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
