What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Bis-Vinyl Dimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
PEG-32 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cera Alba
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Isoceteth-10
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin Conditioning
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Darutoside
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Montmorillonite
AbsorbentIllite
Abrasive
CI 77004
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Bis-Vinyl Dimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG-32 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cera Alba, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Silica, Isoceteth-10, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Magnesium Chloride, Darutoside, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Montmorillonite, Illite, CI 77004
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sh-Pentapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hieracium Pilosella Extract
MaskingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Glutathione Isomerized Linoleate
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sh-Pentapeptide-5, Hieracium Pilosella Extract, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Glutathione Isomerized Linoleate, Glucomannan, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Silica Silylate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Chloride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Propylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Trisiloxane, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSilica, 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 SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
