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
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Boron Nitride, Caprylic Acid, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Vinyldimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Alumina, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, CI 77491, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHydrogen Dimethicone
Magnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Talc, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Glycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Benzoic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
