What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
AbrasiveTin Oxide
AbrasiveIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dicalcium Phosphate, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propylene Carbonate, Punica Granatum Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mica, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 45410, CI 42090
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientParaffin
PerfumingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientSqualane
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Isopropyl Isostearate, Octyldodecanol, Paraffin, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Squalane, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lauroyl Lysine, Propylene Carbonate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Vegetable Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 77891, CI 45410, Mica, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 42090
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 a petroleum-derived wax used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and help lock in moisture.
Like other forms of wax, it forms an occlusive layer on the skin to reduce water loss.
While it can be beneficial for very dry or compromised skin, Cera Microcristallina may not be fungal acne safe; waxes and certain hydrocarbons may contribute to Malassezia growth for those prone to fungal acne.
As with many heavy occlusive ingredients, it may feel too rich for oily or acne-prone skin types. Individual tolerance can vary.
Learn more about Cera MicrocristallinaCi 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 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
CI 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 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 77891Mica 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.
This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateRicinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilSynthetic 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.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides