What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentSilica Silylate
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
AbrasiveSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePanthenyl Triacetate
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Nicotinate
AntioxidantSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Silica Silylate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Synthetic Beeswax, Synthetic Wax, Panthenyl Triacetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Nicotinate, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water, Mica, CI 77891, CI 75470, CI 42090, CI 15850, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 45410, CI 77742, CI 19140
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica Silylate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
AbrasiveSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenyl Triacetate
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Nicotinate
AntioxidantSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Mica, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Synthetic Wax, Silica Silylate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Synthetic Beeswax, Panthenyl Triacetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Nicotinate, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 19140, CI 15850
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCi 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 77891Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateHydrogenated Jojoba Oil is the "hardened version" of jojoba oil; jojoba oil is technically not an oil at all but a liquid wax that has a structure similar to your skin's own sebum.
Adding hydrogen turns this liquid wax into a colorless, odorless, hard wax with a melting point of around 70°C. This is why you'll see it in "stick formulations" like lipstick, eyeliner, and lip balm.
It also acts as a cushiony emollient and skin conditioning agent that leaves skin soft and smooth.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics and that it isn't am irritant or sensitizer.
Typical use levels range from 1% up to 25-31% in stick products.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Jojoba OilHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters is an oil.
Mica 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 MicaOctyldodecanol 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.
We don't have a description for Panthenyl Triacetate yet.
Pentaerythrityl 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 HydroxyhydrocinnamatePentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is a synthetic emollient and "skin-feel" ingredient that spreads well and leaves a non-sticky finish with high gloss.
In makeup, it also doubles as a pigment-wetting agent for better color payoff.
It's a well-vetted ingredient for safety and does not penetrate into skin due to its large molecule size.
Because it's a long-chain fatty acid ester, this ingredient may not be fungal acne or Malassezia safe.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearateWe don't have a description for Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine yet.
Silica Silylate is a siloxane polymer, meaning it is made up of silicon and oxygen atoms. It is not soluble in water.
This ingredient is a white powder with oil-absorbing, emollient, and anticaking properties.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSynthetic beeswax is created to be identical in structure to beeswax without involving bees, making it a go-to for vegan formulas.
It's mainly used an an emulsion stabilizer and thickener.
This ingredient (alongside other synthetic waxes) have been concluded to be safe in cosmetics under the present practices.
Reported usage goes up to 18% and it is non-sensitizing.
Just one caveat for fungal acne: This ingredient is made up of C16-32 fatty acids and fatty acid esters. Part of this overlaps with the C11-24 range that the Malassezia yeast can feed on, so it's not fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic BeeswaxSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl Nicotinate is an antioxidant.
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