What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Tapioca Starch
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgin
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Arbutus Unedo Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Silica, CI 77891, Alcohol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Pentylene Glycol, CI 77492, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Parfum, Tapioca Starch, CI 77491, CI 77499, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dipropylene Glycol, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Algin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Arbutus Unedo Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Isododecane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethiconol/Methylsilanol/Silicate Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Undecyl Dimethicone
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingVp/Va Copolymer
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Alcohol, Isododecane, Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Dimethiconol/Methylsilanol/Silicate Crosspolymer, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Stearic Acid, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Undecyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Vp/Va Copolymer, Silica Silylate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconePEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
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 CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteWater. 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
