What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientTalc
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBenzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Isododecane, Talc, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Laureth-12, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Isododecane
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
Abrasive
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTribehenin
Emollient
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
PEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Iron Oxides
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Isododecane, Mica, Talc, Triethylhexanoin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Caffeine, Ceramide Ng, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Carbonate, Tribehenin, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Phenoxyethanol, BHT, Iron Oxides, 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 a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so 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 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
This 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 CarbonateTalc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.
Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.
If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.
Learn more about TalcThis 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 TrimethylsiloxysilicateThis 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 isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
