What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Talc
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
BufferingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Talc, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Tocopherol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Titanium Dioxide 9%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 6.3%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHexyl Laurate
EmollientCalcium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthyl Hexanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantCitral
PerfumingNiacinamide
SmoothingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningSilk Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTitanium Dioxide 9%, Zinc Oxide 6.3%, Water, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Stearic Acid, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hexyl Laurate, Calcium Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Linalool, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Glycerin, Citral, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Steareth-20, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Silk Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Citric Acid, Biotin
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 ExtractCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTocopheryl 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