What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPolyisobutene
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Talc, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Kaolin, CI 77163, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyisobutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Phenoxyethanol, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Isononyl Isononanoate, Mica, Cera Microcristallina, Sorbitan Olivate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77742
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinMica 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.
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 SilicaSynthetic 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 Wax
