What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
SurfactantSilica
AbrasivePEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Niacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-5
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingResveratrol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Niacinamide, Parfum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-5, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Resveratrol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPerfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane
Glycerin
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePullulan
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Isododecane, Silica, CI 77891, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77492, Water, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Canola Oil, Butylene Glycol, CI 77499, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Glycerin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Trehalose, Urea, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCi 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 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 (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 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 “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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 SilicaSodium 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 AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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