What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPolysilicone-11
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentAframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSaponins
CleansingPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingParfum
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentMagnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Limonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingDimethicone, Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Polysilicone-11, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Alcohol, Niacinamide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, CI 77891, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Aframomum Angustifolium Seed Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Adenosine, Saponins, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Parfum, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Boron Nitride, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Xylitol, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Carbonate, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, CI 77491, CI 77492, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Limonene, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Citronellol, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingSodium Citrate
BufferingGlutathione
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingPropanediol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Adenosine, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dipropylene Glycol, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Sodium Citrate, Glutathione, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Ceramide NP, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAluminum 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 GlycolCi 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 GlycerinMagnesium 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 SulfateThis ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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