What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
C9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Magnesium Sulfate
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Polyurethane-100
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMica
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Olivate, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, C15-19 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triheptanoin, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lecithin, Caffeine, Kojic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Polyurethane-100, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Mica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propylene Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Paraffin
Perfuming
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Synthetic Wax, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octyldodecanol, Paraffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Cera Microcristallina, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Carbonate, Isostearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideIsostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its structure makes it a great surfactant.
Surfactants help decrease the surface tension between two liquids. This property also makes it an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent waters and oils from separating in a product.
Isostearic Acid is created from oleic acid.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
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.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinOctyldodecanol 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.
This ingredient is an emulsifier. It is created from Polyglycerin-3 and Ricinoleic Acid.
As an emulsifier, it prevents waters and oils from separating. According to a manufacturer this ingredient is fully biodegradable.
This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis due to its Ricinoleic Acid base. Ricinoleic Acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaStearalkonium Hectorite is a clay-derived ingredient used to thicken a product and help create a gel-like texture.
