What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Nylon-12
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Surfactant
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Talc
Abrasive
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Combretum Fruticosum Flower Nectar
MaskingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Hydrogenated Didecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Dimethicone, Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Talc, Lauroyl Lysine, Combretum Fruticosum Flower Nectar, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicalcium Phosphate
Abrasive
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyethylene
Abrasive
Polybutene
Silica
Abrasive
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Methicone
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantIsodecyl Neopentanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyethylene, Polybutene, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Methicone, Alcohol, Water, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77007
Reviews
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 also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCi 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 77891Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteMethicone 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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateWater. 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 WaterThis 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
