What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingHexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Oleate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDiisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate, Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate, Niacinamide, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77492, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trihydroxystearin, Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, CI 77491, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77499, Adenosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientC10-13 Alkane
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, C10-13 Alkane, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77891, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, CI 77492, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, CI 77491, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77499, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Mica, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
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 ExtractCi 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.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 HyaluronateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” 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 isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, 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 DioxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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