Superdrug Studio London Flaunt Flawless Bronzing Stick Versus Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Melting Bronzing & Sculpting Stick
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Mica, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica Silylate, Methicone, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Silica, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Olivate, Boron Nitride, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylyl Glycol, Methicone, Squalane, Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Propylene Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Myristic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Parfum, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCi 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 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 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 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 77891Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeMethicone is a type of silicone and is a simpler form of dimethicone.
Silicones are used to enhance the texture of products and have emollient properties. Methicone is used to give products a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Mica 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 MicaOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSilica, 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 Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl 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 Acetate
