What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientC20-40 Alcohols
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveMethicone
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Triethylhexanoin, Synthetic Wax, Silica, Isononyl Isononanoate, Boron Nitride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, C20-40 Alcohols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polyethylene, Methicone, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 45410
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMethicone
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Silica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientHexyl Laurate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantKaolin
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
AbrasiveBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylparaben
PreservativeCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Methicone, Talc, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Hexyl Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 15985, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Tocopherol, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceresin, Polyethylene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Beeswax, Cera Microcristallina, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylparaben, CI 45410, CI 45380
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is lipid-based synthetic skin-conditioning agent derived from adipic acid and a mixture of fatty acids. It is often called a lanolin substitute.
As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Due to its fatty acid base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2This 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 TriglycerideCi 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 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 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.
Ci 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 77891Isononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateMethicone is a type of silicone and is a simpler form of dimethicone.
Silicones are used to enhance the texture of products and have emollient properties. Methicone is used to give products a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Mica 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 MicaOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTridecyl Trimellitate is a synthetic ingredient with emollient and skin conditioning properties. It also acts as a texture enhancer and helps products spread easily without feeling greasy.
As an emollient, it forms a light layer on the skin that keeps moisture in and improves water resistance. This is why you'll often find this ingredient in eye creams and other rich treatments.
This ingredient is seen as the elegant alternative to mineral oil.
Learn more about Tridecyl Trimellitate