What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPullulan
Disodium EDTA
Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Isohexadecane, Dimethiconol, Chlorphenesin, CI 77492, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polysorbate 80, Aluminum Hydroxide, Allantoin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, Adenosine, Sorbitan Oleate, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Gluconate, Collagen Extract, Potassium Laurate, BHT, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantGlycereth-26
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Mica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Chloride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Trihydroxystearin, Phenoxyethanol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Magnesium Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Caprylyl Methicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, BHT, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Sorbitan Laurate, C12-14 Pareth-12, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate, C12-13 Pareth-9, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 HydroxideBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 77492Cyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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