What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Silica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingMentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract
AstringentDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNylon-12
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyquaternium-10
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSilica, Dimethicone, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Nylon-12, Water, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyquaternium-10, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lauroyl Lysine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Mica, CI 77492
Silica
AbrasiveAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPolymethyl Methacrylate
Nylon-12
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Juice
AstringentRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSilica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Nylon-12, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methicone, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Parfum, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betula Alba Juice, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool
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.
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 preservatives
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Nylon-12 is a polymer. It is derived from 12-aminododecanoic acid, an omega-amino fatty acid
According to a manufacturer, it is a talc substitute. Like talc, nylon-12 gives products a satin feel. The manufacturer also claims this ingredients does not block pores and has moderate oil absorption.
This ingredient may not be reef-safe.
Learn more about Nylon-12Parfum 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 ParfumThis ingredient is also known as PMMA. It is a polymer microsphere, composed of tiny, perfectly spherical particles formed from repeating units.
In cosmetics, PMMA is mainly used to give a soft or blurring effect. The transparent particles are able to scatter light and help reduce the appearance of fine-lines and imperfections.
PMMA is also able to enhance the texture of products by add a smooth feel.
Learn more about Polymethyl MethacrylateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water