What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingDiphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Isoeicosane
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParaffin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveDiglyceryl Sebacate/Isopalmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone, Isoamyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Isoeicosane, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, CI 77891, Silica, Microcrystalline Wax, CI 77491, Paraffin, CI 77492, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Diglyceryl Sebacate/Isopalmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, CI 15850, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 77499, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Water, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePolyethylene
AbrasiveDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene, Dimethicone, Silica, Polyethylene, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, CI 77220, Aluminum Hydroxide, Trihydroxystearin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, CI 12085, CI 15850, CI 15985, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 45380, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77742, 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.
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 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
Silica, 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 SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 TocopherolThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer