What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAcrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAmmonium Acrylates Copolymer
Tribehenin
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Carbonate
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingLaureth-30
CleansingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeTrehalose
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriacetin
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Tribehenin, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Laureth-7, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Trihydroxystearin, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate, Sodium PCA, Urea, Laureth-30, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Trehalose, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Caprylyl Glycol, Triacetin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingTribehenin
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialAlumina
AbrasiveBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Methicone
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Tribehenin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, Alumina, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Methicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Mica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trisiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone is a silicone + PEG/PPG hybrid that mainly works as an emulsifier.
It helps water and silicone oils play nicely together in water-in-silicone formulas (think primers, silky sunscreens, long-wear makeup).
Chemically, it's basically a dimethicone that's been made more water-friendly by attaching ethylene oxide (PEG) and propylene oxide (PPG) chains. That's why you'll get that classic soft feel from silicone without the formula separating.
It is able to improve stability, spreadability, and add a velvety finish in low amounts.
Learn more about Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 DimethiconeBoron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
Butylene 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 GlycolCi 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 77891Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisteardimonium 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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
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 AcetateTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about TribeheninThis 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water