What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
Emollient
C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
CI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Synthetic Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Jojoba Esters, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Mica, CI 15850, CI 77891, Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, CI 77492, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Alumina, CI 47005, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol
Dimethicone
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Surfactant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Tribehenin
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Quartz
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Tribehenin, Silica, Quartz, Alumina, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 15850, 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.
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 AluminaCi 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 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 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 77891Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
