What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantKaolin
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Squalane
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMagnesium Myristate
Glyceryl Caprylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Iron Oxides
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Kaolin, Silica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Cellulose, Squalane, Synthetic Wax, Lauroyl Lysine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trihydroxystearin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Magnesium Myristate, Glyceryl Caprylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron Oxides, CI 77007, CI 15850, CI 19140
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica Silylate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinSilica, 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 SilicaThis 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.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
