What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Nylon-12
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Paraffin
Perfuming
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
PEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolysilicone-2
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantDistearyldimonium Chloride
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Water, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Butylene Glycol, Paraffin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, PEG-400, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polysilicone-2, Cera Microcristallina, CI 77120, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Alumina, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, Iron Oxides, Mica, CI 77891
Polyisobutene
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
C15-19 Alkane
SolventBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhytosteryl Oleate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Polyisobutene, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, C9-12 Alkane, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, C15-19 Alkane, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cera Microcristallina, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phytosteryl Oleate, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
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 HydroxideThis ingredient is a petroleum-derived wax used to thicken formulas, improve texture, and help lock in moisture.
Like other forms of wax, it forms an occlusive layer on the skin to reduce water loss.
While it can be beneficial for very dry or compromised skin, Cera Microcristallina may not be fungal acne safe; waxes and certain hydrocarbons may contribute to Malassezia growth for those prone to fungal acne.
As with many heavy occlusive ingredients, it may feel too rich for oily or acne-prone skin types. Individual tolerance can vary.
Learn more about Cera MicrocristallinaCi 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 77891Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 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
