What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPolyisobutene
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Mica, Talc, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyisobutene, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 15850, CI 45410, CI 45380, CI 15985, CI 16035, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingKaolin
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientWater, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77742, Aluminum Hydroxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 73360, Pvp, Parfum, Kaolin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 is a synthetic emollient that works as a lanolin substitute.
This ingredient is a great vegan option for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
It mostly stays on the surface of skin where it helps hydrate due to its large molecular size and low water solubility.
Due to it being derived from fatty acids, this ingredient may not be Malassezia or fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2Butylene 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 GlycolCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 HectoriteEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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