What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylamide
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Panthenol, Polyacrylamide, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Laureth-7, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Lecithin, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Blue 1 Lake, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tricaprylyl Citrate
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingTrioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sucrose
Humectant
Pantethine
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Bisabolol
Masking
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Methyl Trimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Tricaprylyl Citrate, Steareth-2, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, CI 77120, Silica, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose, Pantethine, Caffeine, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Bisabolol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Phytosphingosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 77289, Zinc Oxide
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 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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 SilicaSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
