What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Magnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Silica
AbrasiveTalc
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Myristate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantKaolin
AbrasiveCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMagnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Silica, Talc, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Myristate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Water, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77007, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Kaolin, CI 73360, Butylene Glycol, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Talc
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveNylon-12
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Methicone
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingMucuna Pruriens Seed Extract
AstringentIris Germanica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract
PerfumingTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantZiziphus Jujuba Branch Extract
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningIsodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract
MaskingSantalum Album Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhytosteryl Oleate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantSuccinic Acid
BufferingSodium Succinate
BufferingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingZinc Laurate
Petrolatum
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Oleate
CleansingParfum
MaskingUltramarines
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantTalc, Silica, Nylon-12, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methicone, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Mucuna Pruriens Seed Extract, Iris Germanica Root Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Ziziphus Jujuba Branch Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Isodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Alcohol Denat., Phytosteryl Oleate, Carbomer, Glycerin, Succinic Acid, Sodium Succinate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Squalane, C10-18 Triglycerides, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Polysorbate 20, Zinc Laurate, Petrolatum, Hydrated Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Tin Oxide, CI 77491, Mica, Water, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Lactate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Oleate, Parfum, Ultramarines, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides, CI 45380
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 HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCi 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 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 GlycerinMethicone 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.
Mica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Silica, 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 SilicaSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTalc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.
Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.
If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.
Learn more about TalcTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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