What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasivePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentDimethicone
EmollientHexyl Laurate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolybutene
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Zinc Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Zea Mays Starch, Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77742, CI 16035, CI 19140
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBambusa Arundinacea Juice
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Magnesium Stearate, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bambusa Arundinacea Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 16035, CI 77742
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 GlycolCi 16035 is a synthetic dark-red dye. This dye is created from an acid called Allura red AC, an azo dye.
Azo dyes need to be purified thoroughly before use. This makes them more stable and longer lasting.
This dye is commonly used in foods, approved by both the FDA and EFSA.
Learn more about CI 16035This 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 77891Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateMica 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 MicaOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate is an emollient ester that mostly shows up in color cosmetics.
Functionally, it works as a skin-conditioning agent and a viscosity-increasing agent. This just means it helps soften skin while also thickening water-free formulas (like powders).
Despite being a "stearate", it has a lightweight, cushiony, and non-greasy slip.
This ingredient has shown no adverse effects in testing and is deemed safe in cosmetics at current use levels.
Typical concentrations range from 0.7-23%.
Because it is made of C-18 fatty acids (like stearic acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Octyldodecyl Stearoyl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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