What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ceramide AP, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Boron Nitride, Caprylic Acid, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Alumina, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Palmitate
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Erythritol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Squalane, Magnesium Sulfate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Palmitate, Magnesium Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Erythritol, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Silica, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydrogenated 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 PolyisobuteneThis ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and used as a surface treatment for pigment particles (like iron oxides or titanium dioxide).
It "wraps" these ingredients in a form of slippery jacket so they disperse more evenly in oils, glide better on skin, and stick longer without smudging.
The “triisostearate” part of this ingredient is an ester derived from isostearic acid, a long-chain fatty acid. Malassezia species are lipid-dependent so they rely on external fats to survive. This is why ingredient is flagged for being potentially fungal-acne unsafe.
Learn more about Isopropyl Titanium TriisostearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
