What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAluminum Dimyristate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Dimyristate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Silica, Dimethiconol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAluminum Dimyristate
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventMica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium PCA
Humectant
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
PCA
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSerine
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Threonine
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Betaine, Carnosine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Dimyristate, Propylene Carbonate, Mica, Sodium PCA, Vegetable Oil, Silica, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Serine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Alanine, Glycine, Sodium Citrate, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Arginine, Threonine, Tocopherol, Proline, CI 77891, CI 77492, 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.
Aluminum Dimyristate is the salt of myristic acid, a fatty acid. It is used to stabilize a formula, add thickness, or for anti-caking. That's why you'll mostly find this ingredient in makeup products.
Like other aluminum salts in topical products, this ingredient does not significantly penetrate intact skin.
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly.
For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum DimyristateBenzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholBiosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Butylene 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.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
DSG is used as a surfactant.
Surfactants are cleansing ingredients that help remove oil, dirt, and other impurities from the skin. They work by reducing surface tension between water and oils/dirt to allow them to be easily rinsed away.
Isododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMica 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 MicaPhenoxyethanol 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 MethacrylateThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaTocopheryl 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 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
