What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
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
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, 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.
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate is derived from cetearyl alcohol and sorbic acid.
It is an emollient and helps hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to prevent water from escaping.
Microcrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
Phenoxyethanol 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
