What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclomethicone
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Acid
Stearyl Stearate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclomethicone, Ozokerite, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Cera Alba, Hydrogenated Palm Acid, Stearyl Stearate, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diisostearyl Malate, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Butyl Avocadate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclomethicone
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeIron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantWater, CI 77891, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclomethicone, Synthetic Beeswax, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diisostearyl Malate, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyl Avocadate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 19140, CI 15850, CI 77266
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butyl Avocadate isn't fungal acne safe.
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 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 DimethiconeCyclomethicone is a class of silicones used to improve the texture of products.
Their cyclic or circular structure decreases stability. This causes quick evaporation when applied to skin. Cyclomethicones are often used as a carrier for other ingredients. Once it evaporates, it leaves a silky barrier on the skin.
The most popular types of cyclomethicones include D5 and D6.
Learn more about CyclomethiconeDiisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer is a type of silicone.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier.
Due to its thick oil / waxy texture, it has emollient properties. Emollients help hydrate skin by creating a thin film. This film prevents moisture from escaping.
Glyceryl Undecylenate is created from glycerin and undecylenic acid.
Undecylenic Acid is a fungal treatment, but is not as effective as newer medications.
Some people who have sensitive skin may find this ingredient to trigger Malassezia folliculitis, but not everyone will react to it.
Learn more about Glyceryl UndecylenateIsohexadecane 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 IsohexadecaneIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate is an emollient ester that mostly shows up in color cosmetics.
Functionally, it works as a skin-conditioning agent and a viscosity-increasing agent. This just means it helps soften skin while also thickening water-free formulas (like powders).
Despite being a "stearate", it has a lightweight, cushiony, and non-greasy slip.
This ingredient has shown no adverse effects in testing and is deemed safe in cosmetics at current use levels.
Typical concentrations range from 0.7-23%.
Because it is made of C-18 fatty acids (like stearic acid), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Octyldodecyl Stearoyl StearatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
This ingredient is also known as PMMA. It is a polymer microsphere, composed of tiny, perfectly spherical particles formed from repeating units.
In cosmetics, PMMA is mainly used to give a soft or blurring effect. The transparent particles are able to scatter light and help reduce the appearance of fine-lines and imperfections.
PMMA is also able to enhance the texture of products by add a smooth feel.
Learn more about Polymethyl MethacrylatePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePolypropylsilsesquioxane is a synthetic silicone resin used to create a flexible, water-resistant layer on the skin or hair.
This helps improve the wear and transfer resistance in products like foundations, sunscreens, and colored makeup without feeling greasy.
We don't have a description for Quaternium-18 Bentonite yet.
Chances 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 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 AcetateThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateVP/Hexadecene Copolymer is a synthetic film-forming agent. It has both water and oil loving properties, allowing it to create a flexible, even film on the skin.
This ingredient helps enhance texture, smoothness, and wear resistance in makeup products while reducing tackiness.
Water. 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