What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Silicon
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triacontanyl Pvp, Synthetic Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silicon, Titanium Dioxide, CI 19140, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Silica, CI 42090, Tin Oxide
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Trimethicone, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tin Oxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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 BorosilicateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMicrocrystalline Wax is derived from petroleum through a de-oiling process, then highly refined and purified before use in cosmetics.
In skincare formulations, it is used to improve texture and create a smooth, even consistency. It also helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.
This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateSynthetic 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 FluorphlogopiteSynthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTin 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.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateThis 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
