What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucose
HumectantParfum
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane, Water, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Niacinamide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Tocopherol, Glucose, Parfum, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Niacinamide 2%
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingC9-12 Alkane
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Phytate
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Niacinamide 2%, Water, Hydrogenated Didecene, Triethylhexanoin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Methyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, C9-12 Alkane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Mica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum 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 HydroxideButylene 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, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis 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 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 HectoriteMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateMethyl 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 TrimethiconeNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideThis ingredient is an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSynthetic 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 FluorphlogopiteTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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