What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCalcium Silicate
AbsorbentShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientNylon-12
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Silica
AbrasiveOctyldodecanol
EmollientAluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Magnesium Myristate
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTrimyristin
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingPolyethylene
AbrasivePolyisobutene
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Calcium Silicate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Nylon-12, Zea Mays Starch, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007, CI 77742, CI 77891, Tin Oxide, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Magnesium Myristate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Trimyristin, Polysilicone-11, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyethylene, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantOryza Sativa Powder
Silica
AbrasiveMagnesium Myristate
Cocoglycerides
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantC10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingDodecane
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Oryza Sativa Powder, Silica, Magnesium Myristate, Cocoglycerides, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Propanediol, Decylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Stearate, C10-18 Triglycerides, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lauroyl Lysine, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77007, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dodecane, Coconut Alkanes, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Propylene Carbonate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, CI 19140, CI 77163
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 also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
This ingredient shows up on a lot of "pore-clogging" lists but there's no real evidence behind that. It doesn't even have a comedogenic rating from an actual study; the numbers you'll find online come from blogs citing other blogs.
Ratings for other ingredients mostly come from a 1980s rabbit ear test. This test doesn't translate well to human skin or to real products because the ingredient sits at a much lower percentage.
Some people still find it breaks them out. So if that's you, definitely trust your skin. Just know this one's based on experience and not evidence.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCalcium 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 BorosilicateThis pigment is called Ultramarine blue lazurite. It gives a saturated blue color, but can be used to create other colors as well.
According to the manufacturer, it is usually made from kaolin, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sulfur, and charcoal.
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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeMagnesium Myristate is the magnesium salt of myristic acid, a saturated fatty acid that is naturally found in coconut and palm kernel oil.
In formulas, it's used as an anticaker, opacifier, and viscosity controller; it improves adhesion and glide in pressed mineral makeup, works as a non-gelling thickener in eyeliners/mascaras/lipsticks, and doubles as a white opacifier.
There's no published concentration use from surveys so the best available numbers are supplier guidance: 5-10% for loose powders and 2-5% for creamy cosmetics + pressed powder binding.
The CIR Expert Panel reviewed Magnesium Myristate as part of its assessment of myristic acid and its salts and esters, and concluded the whole group is safe as used in cosmetics.
In human studies, Myristic Acid was non-irritating up to 50% and 100% Magnesium Stearate was non-irritating and non-corrosive on skin and non-irritating to the eye.
There are no published contact allergy case reports for this ingredient so allergy risk is low, but not zero for any ingredient.
There is no comedogenic data for Magnesum Myristate. The comedogenic ratings that circulate for "myristates" come from Isopropyl Myristate which is a structurally different ester.
The rabbit-ear models those comedogenic ratings come from have been shown to be unreliable for predicting whether a finished product will clog pores.
Human testing has proved that any finished product with a comedogenic ingredient won't automatically make you break out; it really comes down to concentration, formula, and your skin.
Some people still find it breaks them out. So if that's you, definitely trust your skin.
Learn more about Magnesium MyristateMica 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 MicaOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate is an emollient ester that mostly shows up in color cosmetics.
Functionally, it works as a skin-conditioning agent and a viscosity-increasing agent. This just means it helps soften skin while also thickening water-free formulas (like powders).
Despite being a "stearate", it has a lightweight, cushiony, and non-greasy slip.
This ingredient has shown no adverse effects in testing and is deemed safe in cosmetics at current use levels.
Typical concentrations range from 0.7-23%.
Because it is made of C-18 fatty acids (like stearic acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Octyldodecyl Stearoyl StearatePentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is a synthetic emollient and "skin-feel" ingredient that spreads well and leaves a non-sticky finish with high gloss.
In makeup, it also doubles as a pigment-wetting agent for better color payoff.
It's a well-vetted ingredient for safety and does not penetrate into skin due to its large molecule size.
Because it's a long-chain fatty acid ester, this ingredient may not be fungal acne or Malassezia safe.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearateSilica, 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 Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin 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.