What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Trisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Glycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearic Acid
CleansingXylitol
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Silica
AbrasiveZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogen Dimethicone
Saponins
CleansingAframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Propanediol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Xylitol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Zinc Gluconate, Adenosine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Limonene, Sodium Benzoate, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Butylene Glycol, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Citronellol, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Saponins, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC13-15 Alkane
SolventAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Homosalate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, C13-15 Alkane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone, C9-12 Alkane, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Isododecane, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Tribehenin, Alcohol Denat., Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 ParfumPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeSilica, 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as âmineralâ by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnât as strong as zinc oxideâs, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopherol 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 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 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