What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Silica
AbrasiveAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentNylon-12
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSilica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Mica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, Butylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water, Glycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Silica
AbrasiveCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeTin Oxide
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica, Corn Starch Modified, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Methicone, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tin Oxide, Water, CI 77491, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Mineral Salts, Mica, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCi 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 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 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolSilica, 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 Water