What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Acrylates Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethylcellulose
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Aroma
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentWater, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Ethylcellulose, Behenyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Silica, Sorbitan Stearate, Isohexadecane, Diisostearyl Malate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polysorbate 80, CI 77491, CI 77492, Parfum, CI 77499, Sorbitan Oleate, Aroma, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 15850, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, CI 17200, CI 15985, CI 42090, Butylene Glycol, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
Triisostearyl Citrate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPunica Granatum Sterols
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Lauryl PCA
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantTriisostearyl Citrate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Punica Granatum Sterols, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosterols, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lauryl PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleic Acid, Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 42090, CI 75470, CI 15850, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 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 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.
The color of this dye is orange/yellow.
This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.
Learn more about CI 15985CI 17200 is a synthetic, water-soluble, reddish-pink dye. It is used purely as a cosmetic colorant.
In the US, the FDA permits this ingredient in cosmetics but it is not approved for use around the eyes while the EU allows this to be used in all cosmetic products.
The FDA requires batch-to-batch certification for this ingredient that is held to a pretty rigorous standard. That means the CI 17200 in your cosmetics has been tested and approved before it ever reaches you.
Contact allergy to cosmetic-grade dyes used at low concentrations are uncommon but has been documented before.
This ingredient also goes by the name D&C RED NO. 33.
CI 17200 has a comedogenic rating of 1 and an irritancy rating of 2 on a scale of 0-5. This is based on peer-reviewed research from the man who invented the comedogenic scale.
A 1 on the comedogenic scale is about as low as it gets without being a flat zero, and makes sense for CI 17200.
It's a water-soluble dye used at very small concentrations (typically 0.001-0.1%), so it dissolves into the water phase of a formula rather than sitting on your skin the way an oil or wax would.
The irritancy rating of 2 reflects that, like most synthetic dyes, there's a small possibility of mild irritation ( particularly for people with existing dye sensitivities).
For the vast majority of people, it's a non-issue at typical use levels.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Just so you know, the FDA ban on Red Dye No. 3 refers to CI 45430, not this ingredient. CI 45430 and CI 17200 are different chemical compounds with distinct safety and regulatory histories.
It's also worth noting that Red No. 3 (CI 45430) was already banned from cosmetics back in 1990, so the 2025 action just extended the ban to food and oral drugs. CI 17200 was never part of any of this.
Learn more about CI 17200Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ci 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 77891Octyldodecanol 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.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol
