What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialTribehenin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Propylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Tribehenin, Potassium Sorbate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, CI 77891, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBetula Alba Juice
AstringentMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingParfum
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEctoin
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPropylene Carbonate
SolventLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentMethicone
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicErgothioneine
AntioxidantPotassium Chloride
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Propanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Benzophenone-3, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Betula Alba Juice, Mica, CI 77007, Glycerin, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Parfum, Tromethamine, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ectoin, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Stearic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, BHT, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Methicone, Linalool, Citronellol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Chloride, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Sodium Dna, Disodium Phosphate, Biotin, Ergothioneine, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate
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 also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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