What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMagnesium Myristate
Polyethylene
AbrasiveTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Nylon-12
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Silica
AbrasiveBoron Nitride
AbsorbentTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Mica, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Myristate, Polyethylene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Nylon-12, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Boron Nitride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentNylon-12
Silica
AbrasiveOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cellulose
AbsorbentPolyethylene
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPCA Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMagnesium Myristate
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveAcrylates Copolymer
Isododecane
EmollientCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMica, Talc, Zinc Stearate, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, Silica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cellulose, Polyethylene, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77742, Iron Oxides, CI 19140, PCA Dimethicone, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Myristate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tin Oxide, Acrylates Copolymer, Isododecane, CI 77163, CI 77891, CI 75470, CI 77007, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hexylene Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Boron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate is made up of calcium, aluminum, and silicates. It is a glass-like material. In cosmetics, it comes in the form of flakes or microspheres.
Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a bulking agent, meaning it helps thicken a product.
This ingredient is created by slowly mixing several minerals, including kaolin clay.
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Calcium Aluminum BorosilicateCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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 77891Ethylhexyl 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 PalmitateWe don't have a description for Magnesium Myristate yet.
Mica 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 MicaNylon-12 is a polymer. It is derived from 12-aminododecanoic acid, an omega-amino fatty acid
According to a manufacturer, it is a talc substitute. Like talc, nylon-12 gives products a satin feel. The manufacturer also claims this ingredients does not block pores and has moderate oil absorption.
This ingredient may not be reef-safe.
Learn more about Nylon-12Octyldodecyl 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.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
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 SilicaTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis 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