What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropionic Acid
PreservativeOxidized Polyethylene
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantEthylcellulose
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantOctyldecanol
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientOxidized Corn Oil
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCymbidium Grandiflorum Root Extract
HumectantThamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
CI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Phenyl Dimethicone, Trimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Propionic Acid, Oxidized Polyethylene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sucrose, Ethylcellulose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octyldecanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Oxidized Corn Oil, Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cymbidium Grandiflorum Root Extract, Thamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, CI 16255, CI 15985, CI 19140, CI 45410, CI 17200, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Polyphenylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceteareth-20, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, CI 15985, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 45410, CI 42090, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ci 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 17200 is a synthetic, water-soluble, reddish-pink dye. It is used purely as a cosmetic colorant.
In the US, the FDA permits this ingredient in cosmetics but it is not approved for use around the eyes while the EU allows this to be used in all cosmetic products.
The FDA requires batch-to-batch certification for this ingredient that is held to a pretty rigorous standard. That means the CI 17200 in your cosmetics has been tested and approved before it ever reaches you.
Contact allergy to cosmetic-grade dyes used at low concentrations are uncommon but has been documented before.
This ingredient also goes by the name D&C RED NO. 33.
CI 17200 has a comedogenic rating of 1 and an irritancy rating of 2 on a scale of 0-5. This is based on peer-reviewed research from the man who invented the comedogenic scale.
A 1 on the comedogenic scale is about as low as it gets without being a flat zero, and makes sense for CI 17200.
It's a water-soluble dye used at very small concentrations (typically 0.001-0.1%), so it dissolves into the water phase of a formula rather than sitting on your skin the way an oil or wax would.
The irritancy rating of 2 reflects that, like most synthetic dyes, there's a small possibility of mild irritation ( particularly for people with existing dye sensitivities).
For the vast majority of people, it's a non-issue at typical use levels.
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.
Just so you know, the FDA ban on Red Dye No. 3 refers to CI 45430, not this ingredient. CI 45430 and CI 17200 are different chemical compounds with distinct safety and regulatory histories.
It's also worth noting that Red No. 3 (CI 45430) was already banned from cosmetics back in 1990, so the 2025 action just extended the ban to food and oral drugs. CI 17200 was never part of any of this.
Learn more about CI 17200CI 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 45410Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water