What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
CI 77491
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Octyldodecanol, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Silica, Ceresin, Polyethylene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Mica, CI 77492, CI 77499, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, CI 77491, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientParaffin
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantLecithin
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Octyldodecanol
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventBHT
AntioxidantIsononyl Isononanoate, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Paraffin, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Zinc Stearate, Microcrystalline Wax, CI 77492, Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77499, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, CI 77491, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ceresin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Octyldodecanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, BHT
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCeresin is a wax derived from ozokerite. It is an alternative to beeswax.
The most common process of creating ceresin is by using heat and sulfuric acid.
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.
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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteMica 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.
This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaEuphorbia Cerifera Wax (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax. It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner.
On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup.
This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Cera" instead of "wax". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax