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
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAlumina
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Alumina, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Polysorbate 20, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, Ceramide AP
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaButylene 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.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTADisteardimonium 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 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 HyaluronateTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopheryl 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