What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lycopodium Clavatum Extract
Skin ConditioningImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Gellan Gum
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cellulose
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Silica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Lycopodium Clavatum Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Gellan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Cellulose, Tocopherol, Water, Iron Oxides, CI 19140
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMagnesium Myristate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Silica, 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 SilicaWater. 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 WaterThis 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
