What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Opunta Dillenii Extract
Xylitol
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Glycerin, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Squalane, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Opunta Dillenii Extract, Xylitol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Betaine, Magnesium Sulfate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Phosphatidylcholine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientIsostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Magnesium Sulfate
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Trehalose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBenzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
C24-28 Alkyl Methicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlgin
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Talc, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Trehalose, Urea, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, C24-28 Alkyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Tocopherol, Potassium Phosphate, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
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 HydroxideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 IsododecaneMagnesium 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 SulfatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
