What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantStyrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Polyurethane-35
Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-200 Glyceryl Stearate
Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientEthylene/Va Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAllyl Stearate/Va Copolymer
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningParaffin
PerfumingAminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingPolyvinyl Laurate
Propylene Carbonate
SolventVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMethylparaben
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Rayon
Myristic Acid
CleansingLaureth-21
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveTetrasodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantKaolin
AbrasivePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenylpropanol
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Jojoba Oil
AbrasiveBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyurethane-35, Beeswax, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-200 Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Ethylene/Va Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Allyl Stearate/Va Copolymer, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Paraffin, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Polyvinyl Laurate, Propylene Carbonate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methylparaben, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Rayon, Myristic Acid, Laureth-21, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Silica, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Kaolin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Synthetic Beeswax, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Tin Oxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, CI 77288, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77266, CI 77007, CI 77891, CI 77742, Mica, CI 75470, CI 77510
Water
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientOleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
EmollientPolyurethane-35
C18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Methylpropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77000
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77400
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Polyurethane-35, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glycerin, Pvp, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Galactoarabinan, Methylpropanediol, Panthenol, Phenylpropanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77000, CI 77163, CI 42090, CI 77400, CI 77289, CI 77288, CI 77510, CI 77742, CI 77007, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolThis 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 77288 is used to add green pigment to products.
Ci 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.
This ingredient is used to impart a blue color. It is not water-soluble.
It goes by two different names:
1. Ferric Ferrocyanide: a synthetic dark blue pigment
2. Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide: a synthetic blue pigment, also called Prussian blue
In the EU, both of these colors must be labeled as 'CI 77510'.
Learn more about CI 77510This 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 77891Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolMica 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 MicaOryza Sativa Bran Wax is wax from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It has moisturizing properties due to its polysaccharides and omega-3 fatty acids content.
This ingredient is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.
Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenylpropanol is a fragrance.
We don't have a description for Polyurethane-35 yet.
This ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Stearic 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 AcidWater. 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