What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Polybutene
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Triethylhexanoin, CI 77891, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Synthetic Wax, Ceresin, CI 77492, Diisostearyl Malate, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, CI 77499, CI 77491, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Ozokerite, Silica, Polybutene, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Alumina, Dehydroacetic Acid, BHT
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Mica, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, CI 19140, Iron Oxides, 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.
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 HydroxideCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 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 77891Mica 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 MicaOctyldodecanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateThis 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 CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaStearalkonium Hectorite is a clay-derived ingredient used to thicken a product and help create a gel-like texture.
Synthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane
