What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-20
HumectantPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientPEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMalachite Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMalic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Malachite Extract, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Malic Acid, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Water, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1 Lake, CI 19140
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePolyethylene
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIndigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingPolygonum Tinctorium Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTin Oxide
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Water, Pentylene Glycol, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Polygonum Tinctorium Leaf/Stem Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, Mica, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water