What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Talc
Abrasive
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Nylon 6/12
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Lecithin
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBroussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningRhus Semialata Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Phragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Talc, Centella Asiatica Extract, Nylon 6/12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Octocrylene, Propylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, PEG-40 Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Lecithin, Mica, Laureth-7, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Broussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Rhus Semialata Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Phragmites Communis Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Propylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Butylene Glycol, CI 77492, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Squalane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Magnesium Sulfate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, CI 77491, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Betaine, Panthenol, CI 77499, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum 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 GlycolCi 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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
