What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantC30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientLauryl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCellulose Acetate
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTriacetin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77000
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Dimethicone
EmollientDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
EmulsifyingCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveKaolin
AbrasiveCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
AbrasiveOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Mica, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Dimethicone, CI 77891, Cellulose Acetate, CI 77491, Sorbitan Isostearate, CI 77499, Polysorbate 60, Triacetin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, CI 77492, Water, Silica, Zinc Stearate, CI 77000, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethicone, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Laureth-4, CI 75470, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Maltodextrin, CI 77007, Talc, Kaolin, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, CI 19140, Alumina, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, CI 77163, CI 77510, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantC30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientLauryl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCellulose Acetate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveTriacetin
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77000
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate, Mica, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Dimethicone, Silica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Cellulose Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, Triacetin, Water, Zinc Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77000
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
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 BorosilicateCalcium Sodium Borosilicate is a bulking agent. It is considered a borosilicate glass; it is composed of powder or flakes of calcium and sodium borosilicates.
This ingredient is used to add volume, shine, and color to products. You'll most likely find this ingredient in makeup products.
According to in-vivo and ex-vivo studies done by a manufacturer, this ingredient works well with UV filters:
Learn more about Calcium Sodium BorosilicateCaprylyl 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Cellulose Acetate yet.
We don't have a description for CI 77000 yet.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
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 77891Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLauryl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
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 MicaPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, 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 SilicaSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateStearyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Tin 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriacetin comes from glycerin and acetic acid. It has antimicrobial properties.
Due to its ability to kill off microorganisms, it can help reduce odor caused by bacteria. Hence, it is a masking ingredient.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterZinc Stearate is the metal salt of stearic acid. It is a white solid used to bind, thicken, and lubricate products.
This ingredient is common in powder makeup, where it helps keep the powder together.
Zinc Stearate is hydrophobic and repels water.
This ingredient can be sourced from non-animal or animal sources. It is best to reach out to the brand to see where they source this ingredient from.
Learn more about Zinc Stearate