What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
Abrasive
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantPolybutylene Terephthalate
C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polybutene
Acrylates Copolymer
CI 77000
Cosmetic ColorantPolyethylene
Abrasive
Ptfe
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetracocoate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica, Talc, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 16035, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Boron Nitride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77266, Polybutylene Terephthalate, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polybutene, Acrylates Copolymer, CI 77000, Polyethylene, Ptfe, Cera Microcristallina, Pentaerythrityl Tetracocoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tin Oxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCi 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Cyclopentasiloxane (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 CyclopentasiloxanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
This 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 TrimethylsiloxysilicateCI 77266 is a high-purity pigment used to create an intense black color in cosmetics. It is made up of fine particles of pure carbon. This ingredient is also often listed as Carbon Black in ingredient lists.
You'll likely find this ingredient in mascaras, eyeliners, brow products, and eye shadow.
In the US, this ingredient can only be used if it meets strict FDA specifications. Certain versions even require batch-by-batch certification after extensive safety evaluation.
In the European Union, this ingredient is permitted as a colorant and classified as a "nanomaterial" based on its particle size (meaning it requires deeper assessment).
The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has reviewed nano-sized carbon black specifically and concluded that it does not pose a risk to human health when used in cosmetic products applied to healthy, intact skin and formulated to avoid inhalation.
Studies support this regulatory stance. Laboratory studies on nano-carbon black show potential for cytotoxicity and inflammatory effects in immune cells; it is important to highlight these findings are based on in vitro (not done on a living organism) testing or inhalation scenarios rather than normal topical cosmetic use.
Occupational studies involving industrial workers exposed to airborne carbon black have not shown a clear link between cumulative exposure and cancer risk. These findings are not directly applicable to cosmetics; cosmetic formulations bind pigments within creams, gels, and liquids that are not inhaled.
Overall, evidence shows that this ingredient is safe under regulatory guidelines and purity standards, especially when formulated to avoid airborne exposure.
Even with regulatory approval and a long history of use, some consumers might prefer to avoid ingredients that are petroleum-derived or that fall under the “nanomaterial” category.
Choosing whether to use CI 77266 isn’t necessarily about safety alone; it can also be about personal philosophy, comfort level with synthetic versus natural ingredients, and how much weight you place on ongoing research and regulatory oversight.
Makeup is highly individual, and personal preference plays an important role in deciding what feels right for you.
Learn more about CI 77266
