What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientMyristyl Trisiloxane
EmollientCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingC30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasivePropylene Carbonate
SolventSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Ethyl Vanillin
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPhalaenopsis Amabilis Extract
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77947
CI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantDi-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Octyldodecanol, Myristyl Trisiloxane, Cetyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cera Microcristallina, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Mica, Talc, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Propylene Carbonate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ethyl Vanillin, Caprylyl Methicone, Zea Mays Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phalaenopsis Amabilis Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trihydroxystearin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77947, CI 75470, CI 15850, CI 42090, CI 45380, CI 45410
Cetyl Dimethicone
EmollientDi-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientC30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polyethylene
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingTalc
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Dimethicone, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Octyldodecanol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyethylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax, Talc, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Glucomannan, Caprylyl Methicone, Propylene Carbonate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Parfum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 15850, Iron Oxides, Mica, CI 45410, CI 19140, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Caprylic/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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCetyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Ci 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 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 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 77891We don't have a description for Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate yet.
This ingredient is a mineral salt of calcium and phosphate. It is mainly used as a mild abrasive and sometimes used to add opacity to a formula.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlucomannan is a fiber created from the Konjac plant. It is an emulsifier and thickener.
The high polysaccharide content makes it great at adjusting the texture of products. (Kind of like starch).
Polysaccharides also help our skin stay hydrated.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about GlucomannanMica 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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePolyethylene 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.
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 CarbonateSodium 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 HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Stearalkonium Bentonite yet.
Synthetic 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 FluorphlogopiteTalc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.
Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.
If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.
Learn more about TalcTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTrihydroxystearin is what you get when you fully hydrogenate castor oil into a waxy, fine powder.
It's mostly a behind-the-scenes texture enhancer that's especially good at "thixotropic" thing where the product stays thick but applies nicely.
Because of its structure, it also acts as a mild skin conditioning emollient that helps soften skin while preventing moisture loss.
Safety studies show it to be safe and non-irritation in clinical tests. It's typically used in concentrations up to 5%.
Since its an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can potentially feed on. This makes it not fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Trihydroxystearin