What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantResveratrol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Alumina
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Silica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-8
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Glycol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sodium Polyaspartate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caffeine, Phytosphingosine, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Resveratrol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Salicylic Acid, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Trihydroxystearin, Triethyl Citrate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Micrococcus Lysate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Lecithin, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Laureth-7, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-8, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Glycol Caprylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.7%
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide 3.1%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 1.3%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientLaureth-4
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningPeat Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Lactate
BufferingMethicone
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingDipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 6.7%, Titanium Dioxide 3.1%, Zinc Oxide 1.3%, Water, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Niacinamide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Laureth-4, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Peat Extract, Gold, Sodium Lactate, Methicone, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Glycerin, CI 77120, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Maltodextrin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hexylene Glycol, Isostearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis synthetic powder is used to add a pearly/white color in cosmetics.
Ci 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.
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 DimethiconeDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer is a type of silicone.
Dipropylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinMethyl 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 TrimethiconeMica 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 MicaNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSilica, 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 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 CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water