What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialDiamond Powder
AbrasiveGold
Cosmetic ColorantOpal Powder
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Tamarindus Indica Fruit Extract, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Diamond Powder, Gold, Opal Powder, Water, Butylene Glycol, Mica, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolIsopropyl Myristate is an ester made by combining isopropyl alcohol with myristic acid.
It is primarily an emollient and penetration enhancer that gives products a lightweight, silky feel without the heaviness of oils.
This ingredient is generally considered non-toxic, non-irritating, and has low absorption potential.
You might have heard that this ingredient clogs pores. This reputation comes from the older rabbit ear studies which are more sensitive than human skin to clogging.
Dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos has also confirmed in a peer-reviewed paper that products containing comedogenic ingredients are not necessarily comedogenic themselves.
A small subset of people (~2%) may experience contact sensitivity so patch testing is a reasonable idea if you have reactive skin.
Since this ingredient is an ester of myristic acid (a C14 fatty acid), it falls within the carbon chain range that is known to feed Malassezia. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Tocopherol 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 Tocopherol