What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Isononyl Isononanoate, Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Microcrystalline Wax, Synthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Olivate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantKaolin
Abrasive
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantRicinus Communis Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, CI 77220, Kaolin, Isostearyl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, 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 HydroxideCi 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.
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 77891Disteardimonium 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 HectoriteOctyldodecanol 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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
