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
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
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, Microcrystalline Wax, 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 HydroxideCaprylic/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 TriglycerideIsostearic 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 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.
Polyglyceryl-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 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.
