What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
Abrasive
Kaolin
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Wax, Silica, Mica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Paraffin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77891, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 77492, CI 15985, Talc, Kaolin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Boron Nitride, Magnesium Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77163, Iron Oxides
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Polybutene
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Dimethicone, Polybutene, Caprylyl Methicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Polyethylene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Kaolin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hexylene Glycol, CI 77891, 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.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although âaluminumâ 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 âaluminum overload.â
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateCaprylyl 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 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 15850Ci 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 77891Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 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 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 isnât contradicting the research. Itâs just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
