What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
AbrasiveVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Trihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Trisiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Niacinamide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Boron Nitride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Aluminum Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Trihydroxystearin, CI 77492, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Adenosine, CI 77499, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Isododecane
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLeucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Alumina
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientPolyphenylsilsesquioxane
Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer Ethylcarbamate
Squalane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isododecane, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Caprylyl Methicone, Dibutyl Adipate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer Ethylcarbamate, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 77492, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77499
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAluminum 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 GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneStearic 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 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 TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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