Kokie Cosmetics Perfecting Poreless Primer Versus Benefit Cosmetics "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Propylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveMethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethoxycaprylylsilane
SmoothingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tocopherol, Ozokerite, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Silica, Methicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Linalool, Limonene, CI 77891, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77492, Trimethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
PEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasivePolyquaternium-7
Linalool
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Cetyl Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tapioca Starch, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Mica, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Tribehenin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylyl Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, Cetyl Alcohol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzophenone-4, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Sorbic Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Alumina, Silica, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, Polyquaternium-7, Linalool, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77007, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsododecane 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 IsododecaneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 SilicaWater. 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