Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate is made up of calcium, aluminum, and silicates. It is a glass-like material. In cosmetics, it comes in the form of flakes or microspheres.

Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a bulking agent, meaning it helps thicken a product.

This ingredient is created by slowly mixing several minerals, including kaolin clay.

Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”

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Calcium Sodium Borosilicate

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:

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Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

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Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

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CI 75470

Cosmetic Colorant, Masking

Ci 75470 is a bright-red pigment. It is AKA carmine.

Carmine is derived from insects such as the cochineal beetle. This ingredient has been used as a natural dye for over 2000 years.

CI 77007

Cosmetic Colorant

This pigment is called Ultramarine blue lazurite. It gives a saturated blue color, but can be used to create other colors as well.

According to the manufacturer, it is usually made from kaolin, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sulfur, and charcoal.

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

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.

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Mica

Cosmetic Colorant

Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.

Mica is found to be safe. 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.

Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.

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Nylon-12

Nylon-12 is a polymer. It is derived from 12-aminododecanoic acid, an omega-amino fatty acid

According to a manufacturer, it is a talc substitute. Like talc, nylon-12 gives products a satin feel. The manufacturer also claims this ingredients does not block pores and has moderate oil absorption.

This ingredient may not be reef-safe.

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Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate

Emollient

Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate is created from stearic acid.

It is an emollient and thickens the lipid (oil) portion of a product. Due to its emollient properties, it may not be fungal-acne safe.

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Polyethylene

Abrasive

Polyethylene 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.

Silica

Abrasive, Absorbent

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

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Tin Oxide

Abrasive

Tin 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.

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Titanium Dioxide is a mineral (or physical) sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection by blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays.

It sits on the skin’s surface and primarily reflects and scatters UV light and also absorbs some of it.

This makes the line between “mineral” and “chemical” sunscreens a bit blurry, but in skincare labeling, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are the two ingredients officially classified as mineral filters.

Because it’s non-irritating, Titanium Dioxide is often recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Thanks to modern production methods, nano-scale or fine-grade Titanium Dioxide is now widely used in cosmetics to reduce white cast and improve texture.

Despite its small particle size, studies show that Titanium Dioxide, even in nanoparticle form, is not absorbed into the skin.

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Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.

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Zinc Stearate

Cosmetic Colorant

Zinc Stearate is the metal salt of stearic acid. It is a white solid used to bind, thicken, and lubricate products.

This ingredient is common in powder makeup, where it helps keep the powder together.

Zinc Stearate is hydrophobic and repels water.

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Iron Oxides

This ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.