What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
ChelatingMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingAlgin
MaskingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, CI 77891, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, CI 77492, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Parfum, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc Gluconate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Algin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Linalyl Acetate, Tocopherol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialCellulose
AbsorbentVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSodium Chloride
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Alcohol, Cellulose, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Maltodextrin, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, CI 77007, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Mica
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 HydroxideCi 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 77891Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeMica 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 ParfumPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
This 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 CarbonateChances 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 ChlorideStearalkonium Hectorite is a clay-derived ingredient used to thicken a product and help create a gel-like texture.
Tocopherol 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