What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Cystine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Propylparaben
Preservative
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Stearamide Amp
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Water, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Glycol Stearate, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cystine, Glycine, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Cyclomethicone, Propylparaben, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Stearamide Amp, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Palmitic Acid, Arachidic Acid
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 DimethiconeSilica, 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 SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
