What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientC9-11 Isoparaffin
SolventC10-13 Isoparaffin
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Paraffinum Liquidum, Octyldodecanol, Triethylhexanoin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, C9-11 Isoparaffin, C10-13 Isoparaffin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 77499, CI 42090, CI 77492
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Stearic Acid
CleansingOctyldodecanol
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientC9-13 Isoparaffin
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Stearic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Triethylhexanoin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, C9-13 Isoparaffin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isododecane, Propylene Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideThis ingredient is lipid-based synthetic skin-conditioning agent derived from adipic acid and a mixture of fatty acids. It is often called a lanolin substitute.
As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Due to its fatty acid base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Ci 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 77491Disteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneWe don't have a description for Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer yet.
Isododecane 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 IsododecaneIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateOctyldodecanol 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.
Paraffinum Liquidum is a highly-refined cosmetic-grade mineral oil. It is also known as liquid paraffin.
Despite its controversial reputation, the science is pretty clear: it's one of the most well-studied and effective moisturizing ingredients out there.
As an occlusive, it forms a protective layer on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This makes it especially great for compromised skin barriers.
The "it clogs your pores" myth has been around for decades; a study found that industrial-grade mineral oil may be comedogenic but cosmetic-grade mineral oil is not (these two are very, very different).
A 2017 review concluded that cosmetic use of mineral oils and waxes does not present a risk to consumers due to absorption.
Mineral oil got a bad rap from the old rabbit ear studies. When tested on actual human skin, cosmetic-grade mineral oil showed no comedogenic activity. The rating of 0 is a correction of outdated science.
Mineral oil is an inert substance with no fatty acids so there's nothing to feed Malassezia. This ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 CarbonateThis 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 SilylateSorbitan Sesquioleate is derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It is an emulsifier and prevents ingredients from separating.
Specifically, this ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier, meaning it helps water dissolve into oil.
Some studies suggest this ingredient may cause irritation in some people. If you are unsure, it is best to patch test.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan SesquioleateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidSynthetic 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 FluorphlogopiteTocopheryl 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 AcetateTridecyl Trimellitate is a synthetic ingredient with emollient and skin conditioning properties. It also acts as a texture enhancer and helps products spread easily without feeling greasy.
As an emollient, it forms a light layer on the skin that keeps moisture in and improves water resistance. This is why you'll often find this ingredient in eye creams and other rich treatments.
This ingredient is seen as the elegant alternative to mineral oil.
Learn more about Tridecyl TrimellitateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinThis 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