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 ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
PPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isohexadecane
EmollientParfum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Erythritol
Humectant
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose
Absorbent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Inositol
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PPG-3 Dipivalate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Myristyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Tristearate, Trisodium EDTA, Erythritol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Citrate, Succinoglycan, Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Caffeine, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tocopherol, Linalool, Citronellol, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 77492, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, CI 77491, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 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 CitrateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
