What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosin
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Ceresin, Phenoxyethanol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, CI 77120, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aluminum Hydroxide, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Rosin, Tin Oxide, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 42090, Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Bambusa Arundinacea Juice
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Iron Oxides
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Magnesium Stearate, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bambusa Arundinacea Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Iron Oxides, 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.
Ethylhexyl 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 an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitatePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, 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 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 AcetateThis 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
