What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Kaolin
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide
Glycerin
Humectant
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Kaolin, Silica, Magnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide, Glycerin, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water, Propylene Carbonate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 45410, CI 42090
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caproic Acid
Cleansing
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Octyldodecanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caproic Acid, CI 15985, CI 19140, CI 45410, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 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 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinOctyldodecanol 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.
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 CarbonateStearalkonium Hectorite is a clay-derived ingredient used to thicken a product and help create a gel-like texture.
This 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
