What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantRhus Succedanea Fruit Wax
Synthetic Wax
AbrasivePhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Mica, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax, Synthetic Wax, Phenyl Trimethicone, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Fruit Powder
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientArachidic Acid
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Myristic Acid
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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 77891Mica 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.
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeSilica, 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 a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about Triethoxycaprylylsilane