What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Talc
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Nylon-12
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
PCA Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77947
Talc, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Nylon-12, Octyldodecanol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, PCA Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methicone, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77947
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silk Powder
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Methicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Mica, Talc, Silica, Diisostearyl Malate, Zinc Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Lauroyl Lysine, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Silk Powder, Phenyl Trimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Carnosine, Aluminum Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ectoin, Methicone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a high molecular weight fatty acid ester. It has skin conditioning properties and is also used as an emollient, texture enhancer, and viscosity emulsifier.
Methicone 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.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, 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 TalcTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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
