What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaprylic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Boron Nitride, Caprylic Acid, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Vinyldimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Alumina, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, CI 77491, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Silica, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77742, CI 77007, CI 77289, CI 77288, CI 19140
Reviews
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.
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 77891Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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