What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Alanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Serine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Valine
MaskingSodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
PCA
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexyl Laurate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Isododecane
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Quartz
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Microcrystalline Wax, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Silica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Diisostearyl Malate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water, Tocopherol, Quartz, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Arginine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, CI 77220, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, CI 77891, Mica, Iron Oxides, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCi 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 77891Glycerin (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 IsododecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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
