What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientC30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePolypropylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNylon-12
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Mica, Glycerin, Isododecane, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, CI 77492, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Nylon-12, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77499, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolymethyl Methacrylate
Glycerin
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
SolventTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDiphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisteardimonium Hectorite
Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasiveBoron Nitride
AbsorbentTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Alumina
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePEG-15/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
StabilisingPolyquaternium-10
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater, Methyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Trisiloxane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Isododecane, Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, CI 77492, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyethylene, Boron Nitride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, CI 77491, Panthenol, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Disodium EDTA, CI 77499, Simethicone, Silica, PEG-15/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-10, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Tocopherol, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 HydroxideCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
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 (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
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 SilicaTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water