What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolyethylene
AbrasiveCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingLecithin
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Glycerin, Polyethylene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Lecithin, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Isopropyl Myristate, Alcohol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTrimethylolpropane Triisostearate
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingTalc
AbrasiveEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyethylene, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Cera Microcristallina, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Ceresin, Talc, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
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 a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 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 77492Ci 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.
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 DimethiconeHexyl Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Isopropyl Myristate is an ester made by combining isopropyl alcohol with myristic acid.
It is primarily an emollient and penetration enhancer that gives products a lightweight, silky feel without the heaviness of oils.
This ingredient is generally considered non-toxic, non-irritating, and has low absorption potential.
You might have heard that this ingredient clogs pores. This reputation comes from the older rabbit ear studies which are more sensitive than human skin to clogging.
Dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos has also confirmed in a peer-reviewed paper that products containing comedogenic ingredients are not necessarily comedogenic themselves.
A small subset of people (~2%) may experience contact sensitivity so patch testing is a reasonable idea if you have reactive skin.
Since this ingredient is an ester of myristic acid (a C14 fatty acid), it falls within the carbon chain range that is known to feed Malassezia. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate is a plant-derived, PEG-free emulsifier.
It's made by hooking isostearic acid onto a chain of glycerin units to give it a water-loving "head" and oil-loving "tail". This allows it to keep the oil and water mixed in a formula.
The highest reported concentration is about 24% in eye makeup but most suppliers recommend a level below 10%.
It has a clean track record for safety and found to be non-irritating.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, Malassezia can potentially metabolize it (it sits in the C11-24 range that Malassezia likes). Therefore, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateTocopheryl 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 Acetate