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
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientTriisodecyl Trimellitate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran
Skin ConditioningEthyl Vanillin
MaskingCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Triisodecyl Trimellitate, Synthetic Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran, Ethyl Vanillin, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Dicalcium Phosphate, CI 77891, CI 45410, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient and skin conditioning agent.
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate is made up of calcium, aluminum, and silicates. It is a glass-like material. In cosmetics, it comes in the form of flakes or microspheres.
Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a bulking agent, meaning it helps thicken a product.
This ingredient is created by slowly mixing several minerals, including kaolin clay.
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Calcium Aluminum BorosilicateCi 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
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.
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.
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 SilicaSynthetic 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.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopherol 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 Tocopherol
