rhode Pocket Bronzer Versus REFY Water Bronzer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientKaolin
AbrasiveMagnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Silica, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Kaolin, Magnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Boron Nitride, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water, Propylene Carbonate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 15850, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriolein
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Dioleate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Isododecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triolein, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Dioleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 73360, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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 HydroxideCaprylic/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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 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 15850Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 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.
Ci 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 77891Dimethicone 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is a plant-derived emulsifier and pigment-dispersing agent with a non-sticky skin feel.
It helps products glide on smoothly and prevents oil and water from separating in a formula, making it suitable for sunscreen and makeup formulations.
The EU inventory of cosmetics has no use restrictions on this ingredient and it is considered well-tolerated.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is derived from isostearic acid.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water