What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDimethicone
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
PEG-9 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Nylon-12
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMethylparaben
Preservative
Hydrogen Dimethicone/Octyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropylparaben
Preservative
Trehalose
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Zinc Oxide, PEG-9 Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Sodium Citrate, Methylparaben, Hydrogen Dimethicone/Octyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propylparaben, Trehalose, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Carbonate
AbsorbentPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogen Dimethicone
Limonene
Perfuming
Alumina
Abrasive
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Mica, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, CI 77891, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Silica, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Carbonate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, CI 77120, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Limonene, Alumina, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis is a silicone-based ingredient that helps create a smooth, silky, "bouncy" texture. It also acts as an emulsifier that prevents ingredients from separating in a formula.
Due to its large molecule size and water-insolubility, this ingredient is unlikely to be absorbed into skin. Irritation and sensitization tests have found reactions to silicones are considered very rare.
You'll likely see this ingredient in leave-on products at concentrations of 0.03%-3%.
Learn more about Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 CrosspolymerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolHydrogen dimethicone is a silicone-based ingredient. It is mainly used to alter the texture and spread of a product without adding "stickiness".
PEG-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 Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
