What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Nylon-12
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTalc
Abrasive
Magnesium Sulfate
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventHydrogen Dimethicone
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCoral Powder
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Talc, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Benzoic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Coral Powder, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Opunta Dillenii Extract
Xylitol
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Squalane, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Opunta Dillenii Extract, Xylitol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Betaine, Magnesium Sulfate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Phosphatidylcholine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
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 HydroxideThis 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 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 IsododecaneMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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 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 CarbonateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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
