What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingTalc
Abrasive
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Ozokerite, Talc, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Microcrystalline Wax, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Ceresin, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, CI 77499
Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Paraffin
Perfuming
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate, Polyethylene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Paraffin, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Cera Microcristallina, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77163, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient and skin conditioning agent.
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.
This ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeHexyl Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides isn't fungal acne safe.
This ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
This ingredient is an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateSorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.
Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.
Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.
Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Learn more about Sorbic AcidTocopherol 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 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 Acetate
