What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningJasminum Grandiflorum Stem Extract
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientDextrin Isostearate
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlumina
AbrasiveLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Jasminum Grandiflorum Stem Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Dextrin Isostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Chlorphenesin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Propanediol, Alumina, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Saccharide Isomerate, Tin Oxide, Copper Gluconate, Tocopherol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
MaskingAlumina
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantResveratrol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSorbic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Niacinamide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glycerin, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Alumina, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Resveratrol, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina (aka aluminum oxide) is an inorganic mineral powder refined from bauxite that works as a quiet workhorse in a formula.
It shows up often as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking, bulking, and viscosity-controlling agent.
One of its most common jobs is acting as a pigment carrier and dispersant.
Alumina platelets are often blended with inorganic sunscreens like Titanium Dioxide (or with colorants) and then coated with a silicone such as Triethoxycaprylylsilane so the pigment spreads evenly and smoothly.
In makeup, it can also double as a light-diffusing powder or oil absorber to keep formulas from looking greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded alumina to be safe in present practices of use and concentration.
They note it's a stable, oxidized compound and scientific research has failed to establish links to health issues.
Concentrations vary depending on the product:
Learn more about AluminaChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 77891Dimethicone 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 GlycerinMica 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 MicaPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
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 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 HyaluronateThis 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 TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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