What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Talc
AbrasiveZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantKaolin
AbrasiveCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantTalc, Zinc Stearate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alumina, Glycerin, Silica, Tocopherol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77163, CI 77742, CI 19140, Kaolin, CI 75470, CI 77007, CI 77499, CI 77266
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeVanillin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
AbrasiveVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentKaolin
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
AbrasiveMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Oryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Talc, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Vanillin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hexylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Boron Nitride, Kaolin, Silica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 75470, CI 19140, Alumina, Maltodextrin, CI 77742, Iron Oxides, Oryza Sativa Extract, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77163, CI 77007, CI 77510, CI 77400, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is a white powder used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaThis ingredient is a lightweight 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. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 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.
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.
This synthetic powder is used to add a pearly/white color in cosmetics.
This ingredient is used to add a violet color to cosmetics.
It is created by reacting phosphoric acid, ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate, and manganese dioxide.
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 77891Kaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinSilica, 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 SilicaTalc 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 TalcZinc 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.
This ingredient can be sourced from non-animal or animal sources. It is best to reach out to the brand to see where they source this ingredient from.
Learn more about Zinc StearateThis 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.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides