What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Talc, Butylene Glycol, Pvp, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, CI 77492, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, CI 77499, Adenosine, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Phytosphingosine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Madecassoside, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Niacinamide
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Caprylyl Dimethicone Ethoxy Glucoside
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantDendrobium Nobile Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNiacinamide, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, CI 77492, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Chloride, CI 77491, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Glycol, CI 77499, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Dimethicone Ethoxy Glucoside, Trehalose, Dendrobium Nobile Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Xanthan Gum
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
This ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePeg-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.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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