What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingCera Alba
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventHydrogenated Palm Acid
Stearyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Culture Conditioned Media
AntioxidantEthylparaben
PreservativeButylparaben
MaskingPolyester-1
Trimethoxycaprylylsilane
SmoothingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPropylparaben
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLinoleic Acid
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTriisopropanolamine
BufferingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77480
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Ozokerite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, DMDM Hydantoin, Mica, Parfum, Cera Alba, Methylparaben, Propylene Carbonate, Hydrogenated Palm Acid, Stearyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Culture Conditioned Media, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Polyester-1, Trimethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polysorbate 20, Propylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Carbomer, Linoleic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Triisopropanolamine, Retinyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Limonene, CI 77891, CI 77288, CI 77480, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Pentylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Triethyl Citrate, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77891, CI 77288
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 77288 is used to add green pigment to products.
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 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
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 IsododecaneParfum 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 ParfumPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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 an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopherol 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