What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Octyldodecanol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Silica
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, Mica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 15850, CI 77499, CI 15985, CI 45410, CI 19140, CI 42090
Octyldodecanol
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasiveCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Isohexadecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Polyethylene Terephthalate
Acrylates Copolymer
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, Cera Microcristallina, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Mica, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Water, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Acrylates Copolymer, Tin Oxide, CI 15850, CI 45410, CI 19140, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Calcium 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 BorosilicateCera Microcristallina, aka microcrystalline wax, is a petroleum-derived wax that helps thicken texture and stabilize the oils in formulas.
It also has mild occlusive properties that creates a film on skin to slow down water loss.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
This ingredient is refined to a cosmetic grade with high purity. It is chemically inert, stable, and doesn't clog pores (petroleum has a comedogenic rating of 0).
Malassezia feeds on fatty acids roughly in the C11-24 range and this ingredient contains none of those. Since there's no plausible food source for it here, this ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cera MicrocristallinaCi 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 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.
The color of this dye is orange/yellow.
This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.
Learn more about CI 15985CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
CI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 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.
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 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 HectoriteLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinMica 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.
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil is a lightweight plant oil from the seeds of passion fruit.
This oil supports skin hydration because it is packed with linoleic acid (56-73%), oleic acid (14-20%), palmitic acid, and stearic acids. It also contains vitamin E and other antioxidants, like carotenoids.
In vitro research has shown that passion fruit seed extracts can inhibit the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin in the skin.
While this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, some cases of contact dermatitis have been reported with the Passiflora plant's vines and leaves itself. As with any ingredient, a patch test is a great idea if you are unsure.
This may not be suitable for fungal acne-prone skin due to the fatty acid content.
Learn more about Passiflora Edulis Seed OilPolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
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 SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSynthetic 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 Tocopherol