What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingC9-12 Alkane
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Octyldodecanol
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingAlumina
AbrasiveVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, CI 77891, Methyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, C9-12 Alkane, Niacinamide, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, CI 77492, Isododecane, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Collagen Extract, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Octyldodecanol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Tocopherol, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77499
Niacinamide 2%
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingC9-12 Alkane
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Phytate
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Niacinamide 2%, Water, Hydrogenated Didecene, Triethylhexanoin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Methyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, C9-12 Alkane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Mica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77891, 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
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 HydroxideC9-12 Alkane is synethically created using alkanes, or paraffins. It is added to products as a solvent. This means its main purpose is to help dissolve ingredients and create even texture.
Caprylyl 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 MethiconeCi 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 77891Disteardimonium 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 GlycerinMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t 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 SulfateMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconeNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideThis ingredient is an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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