What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Simethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PPG-2 Methyl Ether
Perfuming
Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer
Amp-Acrylates/Diacetoneacrylamide Copolymer
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Water, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Simethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Amp-Acrylates/Diacetoneacrylamide Copolymer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, CI 77266, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Laureth-21
CleansingAcrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Dextran
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
CI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-21, Acrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, C11-15 Pareth-7, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Dextran, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, CI 77266
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolThis ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCI 77266 is a high-purity pigment used to create an intense black color in cosmetics. It is made up of fine particles of pure carbon. This ingredient is also often listed as Carbon Black in ingredient lists.
You'll likely find this ingredient in mascaras, eyeliners, brow products, and eye shadow.
In the US, this ingredient can only be used if it meets strict FDA specifications. Certain versions even require batch-by-batch certification after extensive safety evaluation.
In the European Union, this ingredient is permitted as a colorant and classified as a "nanomaterial" based on its particle size (meaning it requires deeper assessment).
The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has reviewed nano-sized carbon black specifically and concluded that it does not pose a risk to human health when used in cosmetic products applied to healthy, intact skin and formulated to avoid inhalation.
Studies support this regulatory stance. Laboratory studies on nano-carbon black show potential for cytotoxicity and inflammatory effects in immune cells; it is important to highlight these findings are based on in vitro (not done on a living organism) testing or inhalation scenarios rather than normal topical cosmetic use.
Occupational studies involving industrial workers exposed to airborne carbon black have not shown a clear link between cumulative exposure and cancer risk. These findings are not directly applicable to cosmetics; cosmetic formulations bind pigments within creams, gels, and liquids that are not inhaled.
Overall, evidence shows that this ingredient is safe under regulatory guidelines and purity standards, especially when formulated to avoid airborne exposure.
Even with regulatory approval and a long history of use, some consumers might prefer to avoid ingredients that are petroleum-derived or that fall under the “nanomaterial” category.
Choosing whether to use CI 77266 isn’t necessarily about safety alone; it can also be about personal philosophy, comfort level with synthetic versus natural ingredients, and how much weight you place on ongoing research and regulatory oversight.
Makeup is highly individual, and personal preference plays an important role in deciding what feels right for you.
Learn more about CI 77266
