What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantTalc
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylene/Methacrylate Copolymer
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientEthylene Brassylate
MaskingPolyethylene
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Talc, Dimethicone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Chloride, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Pvp, Benzyl Alcohol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Synthetic Beeswax, Trihydroxystearin, Methicone, Sodium Benzoate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Ethylene Brassylate, Polyethylene, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberSodium Chloride
MaskingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate
EmulsifyingStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingSilica
AbrasiveCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMethicone
EmollientPantolactone
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Oxide, Tri (Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Silica, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Mica, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methicone, Pantolactone, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateThis ingredient is a high molecular weight silicone. It has emulsifying and skin conditioning properties.
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 77891Methicone is a type of silicone and is a simpler form of dimethicone.
Silicones are used to enhance the texture of products and have emollient properties. Methicone is used to give products a silky texture and improves spreadability.
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 SilicaSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideWater. 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