What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Epilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Silica
Abrasive
Isoceteth-10
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Isoceteth-10, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
Abrasive
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyurethane-35
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Methylpropanediol
SolventSalvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
Masking
Water, Alcohol, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Heptyl Undecylenate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Squalane, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Silica, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-35, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Tocopherol, Zinc PCA, Maltodextrin, Methylpropanediol, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Phenylpropanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaWe don't have a description for Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2 yet.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
