What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polybutene
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientGlyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Dicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveMenthyl Lactate
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingEthyl Vanillin
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCapsicum Frutescens Resin
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Calcium Titanium Borosilicate
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Silica
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentTin Oxide
AbrasiveRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Glyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Dicalcium Phosphate, Menthyl Lactate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Ethyl Vanillin, Mentha Piperita Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Capsicum Frutescens Resin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Limonene, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Alumina, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Benzyl Alcohol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tin Oxide, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 15850, CI 42090
Polybutene
Isostearyl Isostearate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingSilica
AbrasiveAroma
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Limonene
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingTin Oxide
AbrasivePolybutene, Isostearyl Isostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Synthetic Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Mica, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Silica, Aroma, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Tocopherol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Tin Oxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 BorosilicateCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideThis ingredient is a mineral salt of calcium and phosphate. It is mainly used as a mild abrasive and sometimes used to add opacity to a formula.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneThis essential oil is steam-distilled from peppermint leaves, also known as peppermint oil. It's mainly used for scent in skincare but also provides that signature "cooling" sensation.
Peppermint oil is a "feels amazing" ingredient until it doesn't.
At higher doses or for those with sensitive skin, methol-type cooling can quickly turn into burning/irritation. It can also trigger irritant dermatitis or even allergic contact dermatitis. In a large patch-test dataset, peppermint oil had a low but positive rate for this.
In cosmetics, Cosmetic Safety Reviews (CIR) concludes that peppermint oil is safe to use when formulated to be non-sensitizing with some restrictions; for instance, pulegone, a naturally occurring component of peppermint oil, should not exceed 1%.
Since peppermint oil contains fragrance allergens such as limonene, linalool, and menthol, it can be sensitizing for those with rosacea, eczema, a broken skin barrier, or just sensitive skin in general.
In Japan, this ingredient is known as Hakka Yu.
Learn more about Mentha Piperita OilMica 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 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 PolybuteneThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaWe don't have a description for Stearalkonium Bentonite yet.
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 Tocopherol