What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSucrose Distearate
EmollientWater, CI 77891, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate, Butylene Glycol, CI 77492, Glycerin, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, CI 77491, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77499, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Trihydroxystearin, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Panthenol, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Homosalate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sucrose Distearate
Onsen-Sui
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Calcium Chloride
AstringentMagnesium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium PCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantOnsen-Sui, CI 77891, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, CI 77492, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Methyl Trimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium PCA, Panthenol, Potassium PCA, Sodium PCA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Parfum, CI 77491, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer is a type of silicone.
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 HydroxideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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.
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 77891Cyclopentasiloxane (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 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidMagnesium 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 SulfateMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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