What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Talc
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polybutene
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Kaolin
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTalc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Zinc Stearate, Mica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Polybutene, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Silica, Kaolin, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 15850, CI 77742, CI 77492, CI 19140, CI 77007, CI 77499
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Polybutene
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Dimethicone, Polybutene, Caprylyl Methicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyethylene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Kaolin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 15850
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybuteneSilica, 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 Silica
