What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Chloride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMethicone
Emollient
Polyacrylate-2
Disodium EDTA
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Diisostearyl Malate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Mica, Niacinamide, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77492, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, CI 77491, Methicone, Polyacrylate-2, Disodium EDTA, CI 77499, Adenosine, BHT, Silica, Pvp, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopherol, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Dimethicone, Asiatic Acid, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Isodecyl Isononanoate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Polybutene
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cuprous Oxide
Skin ConditioningChromium Hydroxide Green
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingFerric Chloride
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Isodecyl Isononanoate, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Microcrystalline Wax, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polybutene, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cuprous Oxide, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Ferric Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Carbonate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Water, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, BHT, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbic Acid
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
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 HydroxideBHT 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 GlycolCi 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 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
