What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveCandelilla Cera
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantDiisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cera Microcristallina, Synthetic Wax, Silica, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Candelilla Cera, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 15850
Talc
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Nylon-12
Silica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveBoron Nitride
AbsorbentMagnesium Myristate
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
EmollientCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Ultramarines
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAminopropyl Triethoxysilane
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantTalc, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Nylon-12, Silica, Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Boron Nitride, Magnesium Myristate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methicone, CI 15985, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, CI 15850, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane, Titanium Dioxide, CI 73360
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 HydroxideCaprylyl 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 GlycolCi 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 15850Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
This ingredient is a form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSilica, 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 SilicaSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as âmineralâ by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnât as strong as zinc oxideâs, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateVP/Hexadecene Copolymer is a synthetic film-forming agent. It has both water and oil loving properties, allowing it to create a flexible, even film on the skin.
This ingredient helps enhance texture, smoothness, and wear resistance in makeup products while reducing tackiness.
This 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.