What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyisobutene
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Dimer Dilinoleyl Diisostearate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Calcium Titanium Borosilicate
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Hesperidin
EmollientDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Diisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Bioflavonoids, Ascorbic Acid, Hesperidin, Dehydroacetic Acid, CI 42090
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientTrioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Coconut Flower Sugar
Antioxidant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sucrose
Humectant
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Macadamia Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters Behenate, Synthetic Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Coconut Flower Sugar, Isostearic Acid, Sucrose, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Water, Malic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Viola Tricolor Extract, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 19140, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCitric 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 AcidDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer is an exfoliant.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneOctyldodecanol 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.
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate is an emollient ester.
As an emollient, it softens and hydrates your skin by locking moisture in. Its large, branched structure gives it a thick, cushiony feel without being greasy. This is why it shows up most often in lip balms, lipsticks, and other stick or balm formulas, where it adds gloss and helps hold waxes and pigments together.
The phytosterol portion is a nice extra. Phytosterols are plant-based lipids that are structurally similar to ones found naturally in skin, so they can help support the skin barrier.
Because this ingredient contains C16, C18, and C22 fatty chains, it may not be Malassezia/fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast potentially feeds on fatty acids in the C11-C24 range. If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
Learn more about Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer DilinoleateThis ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateThis silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
