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
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polybutene
Triisostearin
Skin Conditioning
PEG-45/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCandelilla Cera
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Aroma
Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polybutene, Triisostearin, PEG-45/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer, Candelilla Cera, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Polyethylene, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ozokerite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Aroma, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, C10-18 Triglycerides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glyceryl Dioleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triolein, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C10-18 Triglycerides is a skin conditioning and texture-enhancer.
It is created from glycerin and a mixture of C10-18 fatty acids.
This ingredient improves spreadability and helps thicken a product.
According to manufacturers, it usually comes from vegetable-based saturated fatty acids. Common bases for this ingredient are coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or both.
Due to the melting point being close to skin temperature, it is usually used in lip products.
Triglycerides are a main component of fat in the human body.
Learn more about C10-18 TriglyceridesCaprylic/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 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ci 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 77491Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateSilica, 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 SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSynthetic 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 WaxTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateEuphorbia Cerifera Wax (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax. It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner.
On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup.
This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Cera" instead of "wax". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
