What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Cera Microcristallina, Dimethicone, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Squalane
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSorbitan Trioleate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Apium Graveolens Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Squalane, Silica, Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Microcrystalline Wax, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sorbitan Trioleate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Reviews
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 TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSilica, 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 SilicaSynthetic 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 WaxTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
