What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialUndecane
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTridecane
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Bisabolol
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica Silylate
EmollientZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPhenylpropanol
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Undecane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, Dimethyl Isosorbide, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tridecane, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica Silylate, Zea Mays Starch, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenylpropanol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Silica, Dimethicone, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Acetyl Tyrosinamide
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Isopropyl Myristate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethyldihydrojasmonate
Masking2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol
MaskingEthyl Acetoacetate
PerfumingMethyl Benzodioxepinone
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-8, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Acetyl Tyrosinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethiconol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Sulfite, BHT, Ammonium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Methyldihydrojasmonate, 2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol, Ethyl Acetoacetate, Methyl Benzodioxepinone, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 17200, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT 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 BHTCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxanePEG-12 Dimethicone is a type of water-soluble silicone. It has skin conditioning and hydrating properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's stability is decreased by strong acid or alkali.
Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20