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 15850
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 15850
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Calcium Titanium Borosilicate
Abrasive
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
Masking
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Mica, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dextrin Palmitate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide, CI 15985, CI 77491, CI 15850, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCi 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.
Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.
This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.
It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.
Learn more about CI 15850This ingredient is a synthetic ingredient with emollient and skin conditioner used to make skincare products feel more lightweight on the skin. It helps improve slip and spreadability without feeling greasy.
Because it is high molecular weight and lipophilic (oil loving), it remains on the surface of skin.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneOctyldodecanol 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 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 SilicaTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis 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
