What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientC10-13 Alkane
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, C10-13 Alkane, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, CI 77492, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, CI 77491, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77499, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Mica, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate
EmulsifyingStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel Forming2,3-Butanediol
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingMethicone
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSchisandra Sphenanthera Fruit Extract
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPantolactone
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Corn Starch Modified, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Tri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, 2,3-Butanediol, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Parfum, Mica, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Chlorphenesin, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Methicone, Maltodextrin, Schisandra Sphenanthera Fruit Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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 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 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 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 ParfumSilica, 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 ChlorideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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