What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthyl Vanillin
MaskingTribehenin
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantIsoamyl Laurate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Octyldodecanol, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica, Synthetic Wax, C10-18 Triglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Kaolin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Synthetic Beeswax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Silylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethyl Vanillin, Tribehenin, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, CI 77491, CI 15850, CI 42090
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
Masking
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMethicone
Emollient
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Polysilicone-11, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Silica, Synthetic Beeswax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methicone, CI 15850, CI 15985, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideCi 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 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 77491Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteOctyldodecanol 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.
Polyhydroxystearic 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 AcidSilica, 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 SilicaSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSynthetic 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 Wax
