What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeHectorite
AbsorbentCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
Alcohol
AntimicrobialDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Quaternium-18
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hectorite, Cera Microcristallina, Acrylates Copolymer, Alcohol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Quaternium-18, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 15850, CI 12085, CI 77499, Mica, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Dimethicone, Alumina, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantActinidia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAroma
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Isododecane, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77891, Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isohexadecane, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aroma, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tripeptide-1, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, CI 12085, CI 73360, CI 77492, CI 77499, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 12085 is a synthetic reddish dye.
It is a type of azo dye. Azo dyes must be extensively purified before use. This makes them more stable and long-lasting.
CI 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane 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 IsododecanePeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Chances 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 ChlorideSodium 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 HyaluronateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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