What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer Ethylcarbamate
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Menthyl PCA
HumectantMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Alumina
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyphenylsilsesquioxane
C20-24 Olefin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventGlycogen
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isomalt
HumectantLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phytol
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Trisiloxane, Silica, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer Ethylcarbamate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Tartrate, Diisostearyl Malate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Alcohol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Menthyl PCA, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Dextrin Palmitate, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, C20-24 Olefin, Propylene Carbonate, Glycogen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isomalt, Lauroyl Lysine, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phytol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Methicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Mica, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Parfum, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Methicone, Silica, Viola Tricolor Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Reviews
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 AlcoholThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so 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 DimethiconeCi 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 77891Glycerin (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 GlycerinPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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 SilicaChances 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 ChlorideTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
