What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveCera Alba
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientKaolin
AbrasivePolyvinyl Acetate
Emulsion StabilisingBentonite
AbsorbentTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acrylates Copolymer
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSucrose Polystearate
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSimethicone
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingLaureth-21
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantIsostearic Acid
CleansingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Silica, Cera Alba, Stearic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Kaolin, Polyvinyl Acetate, Bentonite, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexylene Glycol, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Sucrose Polystearate, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Simethicone, Panthenol, Acrylates/Hydroxyesters Acrylates Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Hydroxide, Laureth-21, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Isostearic Acid, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, CI 19140, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 77007, CI 77288, CI 77289, CI 77163, CI 75470
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffin
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Polymethacrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasivePhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPEG/PPG-17/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingPolysorbate 21
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 188
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Silica
AbrasiveSimethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Methylsilanol/Silicate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Paraffin, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Steareth-20, Beeswax, Acacia Senegal Gum, Alcohol Denat., Steareth-2, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Madecassoside, Sodium Polymethacrylate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, Phenethyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-17/18 Dimethicone, Arginine, Polysorbate 21, Poloxamer 188, Polyquaternium-10, Silica, Simethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Methylsilanol/Silicate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 75470, CI 77007, CI 77891, CI 77510, Mica
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Caprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 75470 is a bright-red pigment. It is AKA carmine.
Carmine is derived from insects such as the cochineal beetle. This ingredient has been used as a natural dye for over 2000 years.
This pigment is called Ultramarine blue lazurite. It gives a saturated blue color, but can be used to create other colors as well.
According to the manufacturer, it is usually made from kaolin, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sulfur, and charcoal.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 77891This ingredient comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. This ingredient is used to thicken texture and leaves behind a film when applied.
Disodium 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 EDTAMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSilica, 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 SilicaSimethicone is a silicone. It is an emollient and used to reduce foaming in a product. It is also often used to coat sunscreen ingredients for better spreadability.
This ingredient is created by mixing dimethylpolysiloxane and hydrated silica.
Water. 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