What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientSucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolypropylsilsesquioxane
C30-50 Alcohols
EmulsifyingPolybutene
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyethylene
AbrasivePhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Synthetic Wax, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, C30-50 Alcohols, Polybutene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyethylene, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, CI 15850, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 42090, CI 45410, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 17200, CI 19140
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientC30-50 Alcohols
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Polybutene
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Synthetic Wax, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, C30-50 Alcohols, Mica, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Polybutene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Carbonate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Titanium Dioxide, CI 75470, Iron Oxides, CI 15850
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C30-50 Alcohols is a fatty alcohol.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolThis 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 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Pentaerythrityl 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 HydroxyhydrocinnamatePolybutene is used to help control the viscosity of a product. This just means it helps adjusts the texture.
It is a polymer and does not get absorbed into the skin due to its large size.
Studies found this ingredient did not irritate skin in concentrations below 15%.
Learn more about PolybutenePolypropylsilsesquioxane is a synthetic silicone resin used to create a flexible, water-resistant layer on the skin or hair.
This helps improve the wear and transfer resistance in products like foundations, sunscreens, and colored makeup without feeling greasy.
We don't have a description for Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate yet.
Synthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about Trimethylsiloxysilicate