What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Chloride
MaskingLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Paraffin, Ceresin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Butylene Glycol, Kaolin, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer
Urea
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Squalane, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Trehalose, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Butyl Avocadate, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ergothioneine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Polyquaternium-51, Acacia Senegal Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Urea, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 77891Disodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobutenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
