What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Aroma
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Cerasus Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantVaccinium Corymbosum Seed Oil
AntioxidantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentMethyl Nicotinate
SoothingCapsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Aroma, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Cerasus Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Methyl Nicotinate, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Tocopherol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 15850, CI 77891, CI 19140
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientPentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ozokerite, Cera Microcristallina, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Ceresin, Diisostearyl Malate, Cera Alba, Petrolatum, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Silica, CI 42090, CI 75470, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 16035, CI 15850, Titanium Dioxide, CI 19140, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ci 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 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140CI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 73360 is a synthetic red-pink dye.
It is soluble in water and remains chemically stable across a range of pH levels typically used in cosmetics. This helps manufacturers maintain uniform color throughout a product’s shelf life.
Because this ingredient is a regulated cosmetic colorant, its purity, manufacturing standards, and allowed uses are defined by cosmetic regulations in major markets.
Learn more about CI 73360Ci 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 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 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 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Glycine Soja Oil is a plant-derived oil from soybean seeds. Like other oils, it is rich in essential fatty acids (mostly linoleic and oleic) that support skin hydration and barrier function.
The fatty acids are able to integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to help soften skin and reduce water loss.
On top of that, soybean oil is rich in vitamins like vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
Research on soybean's active components also point to anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, antioxidant activity, and protection against UV-induced oxidative damage.
Most of this research applies to the broader soybean plant and not just the oil fraction alone.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic acid content.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate