What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
C9-12 Alkane
SolventHydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
C15-19 Alkane
SolventQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPhytosteryl Oleate
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantSqualane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polyisobutene, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, C9-12 Alkane, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Aluminum Hydroxide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, C15-19 Alkane, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cera Microcristallina, Hydroxyapatite, Propylene Carbonate, Phytosteryl Oleate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, CI 77220, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Water, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tribehenin
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Mica, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Diisostearyl Malate, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tribehenin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77288, CI 77007, CI 42090
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 HydroxideThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
