What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSafflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPPG-5-Laureth-5
EmollientKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Polyquaternium-11
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Morus Alba Root Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Kojic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polyquaternium-11, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Silica Silylate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica Silylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Parfum, Boron Nitride, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateButylene 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 GlycolCeteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.
Cetearyl 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 Water
