What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolybutene
Octyldodecanol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHydrated Silica
AbrasiveC30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Dodecane
EmollientHydrogenated Soybean Oil
EmollientSucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
C10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientHydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenylisopropyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientC15-23 Alkane
SolventDimethiconol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSqualene
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentMagnesium Myristate
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientQuartz
AbrasiveCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventJojoba Esters
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Butadiene Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantDimethiconol Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77000
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Zinc Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Hydrated Silica, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Dodecane, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides, Coconut Alkanes, Tin Oxide, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenylisopropyl Dimethicone, Decylene Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Triethylhexanoin, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, C15-23 Alkane, Dimethiconol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Zea Mays Starch, Magnesium Myristate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Quartz, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Dimethiconol Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 16035, CI 75470, CI 77000, CI 77007, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77742, CI 77891
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSh-Polypeptide-123
Skin ProtectingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77000
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Synthetic Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Mica, Silica, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sh-Polypeptide-123, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77742, CI 77007, CI 77510, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 16035, CI 77400, CI 77000
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate is made up of calcium, aluminum, and silicates. It is a glass-like material. In cosmetics, it comes in the form of flakes or microspheres.
Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a bulking agent, meaning it helps thicken a product.
This ingredient is created by slowly mixing several minerals, including kaolin clay.
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Calcium Aluminum BorosilicateCalcium Sodium Borosilicate is a bulking agent. It is considered a borosilicate glass; it is composed of powder or flakes of calcium and sodium borosilicates.
This ingredient is used to add volume, shine, and color to products. You'll most likely find this ingredient in makeup products.
According to in-vivo and ex-vivo studies done by a manufacturer, this ingredient works well with UV filters:
Learn more about Calcium Sodium BorosilicateCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 16035 is a synthetic dark-red dye. This dye is created from an acid called Allura red AC, an azo dye.
Azo dyes need to be purified thoroughly before use. This makes them more stable and longer lasting.
This dye is commonly used in foods, approved by both the FDA and EFSA.
Learn more about CI 16035We don't have a description for CI 77000 yet.
This pigment is called Ultramarine blue lazurite. It gives a saturated blue color, but can be used to create other colors as well.
According to the manufacturer, it is usually made from kaolin, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sulfur, and charcoal.
Ci 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.
This ingredient is used to add a violet color to cosmetics.
It is created by reacting phosphoric acid, ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate, and manganese dioxide.
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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxMica 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 MicaSilica, 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 Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about Trimethylsiloxysilicate