What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Isododecane
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Titanium Dioxide, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Isododecane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Linalool, Geraniol
Panax Ginseng Root Water
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Acrylates/Propyl Trimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventBisabolol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLauryl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingThamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Erythritol, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Isododecane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Mica, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, CI 77492, Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Acrylates/Propyl Trimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pvp, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Water, Propylene Carbonate, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, CI 77499, CI 77491, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-13 Pareth-9, Parfum, Lauryl Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Cyclodextrin, Orchid Extract, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Thamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
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 HydroxideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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.
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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having āsulfateā in the name, it isnāt a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesnāt have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 CarbonateWater. 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 Water