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
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Silicate
AbsorbentShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientNylon-12
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Silica
AbrasiveOctyldodecanol
EmollientAluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Magnesium Myristate
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTrimyristin
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyethylene
AbrasivePolyisobutene
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Calcium Silicate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Nylon-12, Zea Mays Starch, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007, CI 77742, CI 77891, Tin Oxide, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Magnesium Myristate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Trimyristin, Polysilicone-11, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCalcium 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 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 DimethiconeWe 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.
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconePolyethylene 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 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 FluorphlogopiteTin 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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane