What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolypropylene
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientNylon-12
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Maltose
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentDimethiconol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polypropylene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Isododecane, Nylon-12, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Maltose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Dimethiconol, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Tribehenin
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
C15-23 Alkane
SolventC13-14 Alkane
SolventLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Lysine
Skin ConditioningMannose
HumectantSodium Mannose Phosphate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Copper Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Polyurethane-11
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Propanediol, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Polyglycerin-3, Tribehenin, Saccharomyces Ferment, Coconut Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Arachidyl Alcohol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Lauroyl Lysine, Behenyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, C15-23 Alkane, C13-14 Alkane, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Lysine, Mannose, Sodium Mannose Phosphate, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Copper Sulfate, Proline, Polyurethane-11, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, CI 77491, CI 77742, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Acer Saccharum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hexylene Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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
