What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSqualane
Emollient
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Kaolin
Abrasive
Magnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Iron Oxides
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Methicone
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Iron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Butylene Glycol, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Glycerin, Silica, Methicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Boron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Silica, 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 SilicaWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterThis 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
