What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Glyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Squalane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate-13
Kaolin
AbrasiveEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Leaf Extract
AstringentNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantUltramarines
Parfum
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Octocrylene, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecanol, Sucrose Stearate, Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Alumina, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyacrylate-13, Kaolin, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Aluminum Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tocopherol, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Leaf Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, CI 77891, Ultramarines, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingIsododecane
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, CI 77891, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Stearic Acid, Isododecane, Sorbitan Olivate, Silica, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, C20-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Parfum, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 HydroxideAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCi 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 77891Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol 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