What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
SmoothingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSilica Silylate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Sieboldii Extract
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicSodium Benzoate
MaskingMoonstone Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, CI 77163, Niacinamide, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tribehenin, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Silica Silylate, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Hibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract, Magnolia Sieboldii Extract, Alumina, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Medicago Sativa Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Moonstone Extract, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Magnesium Sulfate
Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAlumina
AbrasivePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPoly(Tripeptide-6)
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Methyl Trimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Diglycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Resveratrol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Betaine, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, 1,2-Hexanediol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Poly(Tripeptide-6), Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
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
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is a white powder used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty 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.
Ci 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 77891Disteardimonium 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 Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateThis ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and used as a surface treatment for pigment particles (like iron oxides or titanium dioxide).
It "wraps" these ingredients in a form of slippery jacket so they disperse more evenly in oils, glide better on skin, and stick longer without smudging.
The ātriisostearateā part of this ingredient is an ester derived from isostearic acid, a long-chain fatty acid. Malassezia species are lipid-dependent so they rely on external fats to survive. This is why ingredient is flagged for being potentially fungal-acne unsafe.
Learn more about Isopropyl Titanium TriisostearateMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having āsulfateā in the name, it isnāt a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesnāt have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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