What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientLauric Acid
CleansingNylon-12
Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantSea Water
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Cyclohexasiloxane, Diisostearyl Malate, Methyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Panthenol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Lauric Acid, Nylon-12, Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Sea Water, Chondrus Crispus Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventHydrogen Dimethicone
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane, Water, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Tribehenin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propylene Carbonate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phytosphingosine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Mica
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 HydroxideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane (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 CyclopentasiloxaneDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having āsulfateā in the name, it isnāt a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesnāt 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 SulfateThis 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 CarbonateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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