What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingTribehenin
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Nylon-12
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogen Dimethicone
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tribehenin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Nylon-12, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hydrated Silica, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Ectoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Surfactant
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Octadecene
SolventPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Silica
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Quaternium-18 Bentonite
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearyl Dimethicone, Octadecene, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica, Alumina, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Isododecane, Methyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolThis 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 DimethiconeCyclopentasiloxane (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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeMagnesium 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 SulfatePeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is also known as PMMA. It is a polymer microsphere, composed of tiny, perfectly spherical particles formed from repeating units.
In cosmetics, PMMA is mainly used to give a soft or blurring effect. The transparent particles are able to scatter light and help reduce the appearance of fine-lines and imperfections.
PMMA is also able to enhance the texture of products by add a smooth feel.
Learn more about Polymethyl MethacrylateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about Trimethylsiloxysilicate
