What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingPolyisobutene
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Adenosine, Titanium Dioxide, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Tromethamine, Stearic Acid, Polyisobutene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantGlycereth-26
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Mica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Chloride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Trihydroxystearin, Phenoxyethanol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Magnesium Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Caprylyl Methicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, BHT, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Sorbitan Laurate, C12-14 Pareth-12, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Sodium Polynaphthalenesulfonate, C12-13 Pareth-9, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 HydroxideCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane (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 CyclopentasiloxaneThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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