What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Silica
Abrasive
Talc
Abrasive
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Polydiethylsiloxane
Emollient
Silk Powder
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Calamine
AbsorbentPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningSilica, Talc, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Polydiethylsiloxane, Silk Powder, Alcohol, Parfum, Calamine, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Oleanolic Acid
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Talc
Abrasive
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Petrolatum
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingMethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Calcium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Magnesium Silicate
AbsorbentDistearyldimonium Chloride
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantStearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Talc, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Triethylhexanoin, Methicone, Silica, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Calcium Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Magnesium Silicate, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Water, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, CI 77120, CI 77491, CI 77492, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholSilica, 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 SilicaTalc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.
Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.
If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.
Learn more about TalcTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
