What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientTalc
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeHydrogen Dimethicone
Propylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiamond Powder
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Talc, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Parfum, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diamond Powder, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientErythritol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientNylon-12
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMagnesium Sulfate
Polysilicone-11
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningLaureth-12
EmulsifyingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Erythritol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Nylon-12, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Sulfate, Polysilicone-11, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Laureth-12, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77007, CI 15850
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 high molecular weight silicone. It has emulsifying and skin conditioning properties.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneThis 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.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water