What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Talc
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Behenate
EmollientMethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingBehenic Acid
Cleansing
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Talc, Dimethicone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Chloride, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Pvp, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Trihydroxystearin, Arachidyl Behenate, Methicone, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Ethylene Brassylate, Behenic Acid, Polyethylene, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPEG/PPG-15/15 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningErythritol
Humectant
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Silica, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG/PPG-15/15 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Erythritol, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Reviews
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 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 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
