What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMagnesium Sulfate
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingIsododecane
EmollientPolycaprylylsilsesquioxane
Mentha Aquatica Extract
TonicOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
PerfumingDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Aluminum Acetate
AntimicrobialAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasivePropylene Carbonate
SolventAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Magnesium Sulfate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Isododecane, Polycaprylylsilsesquioxane, Mentha Aquatica Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Mica, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Acetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lauroyl Lysine, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alumina, Propylene Carbonate, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Parfum, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTourmaline
Ruby Powder
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSmithsonite Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Alumina, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tourmaline, Ruby Powder, Kaolin, Maris Sal, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Smithsonite Extract, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Water, CI 77891, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 19140, CI 77007
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina (aka aluminum oxide) is an inorganic mineral powder refined from bauxite that works as a quiet workhorse in a formula.
It shows up often as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking, bulking, and viscosity-controlling agent.
One of its most common jobs is acting as a pigment carrier and dispersant.
Alumina platelets are often blended with inorganic sunscreens like Titanium Dioxide (or with colorants) and then coated with a silicone such as Triethoxycaprylylsilane so the pigment spreads evenly and smoothly.
In makeup, it can also double as a light-diffusing powder or oil absorber to keep formulas from looking greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded alumina to be safe in present practices of use and concentration.
They note it's a stable, oxidized compound and scientific research has failed to establish links to health issues.
Concentrations vary depending on the product:
Learn more about AluminaCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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