What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Triceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPEG-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
CleansingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPEG-240
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialMadecassoside
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ProtectingCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Glycol Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-2 Stearate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Adenosine, PEG-240, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Isohexadecane, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Potassium Laurate, BHT, Bakuchiol, Madecassoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
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
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.
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 preservatives
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 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.
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 CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMethyl 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 TrimethiconePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” 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 isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, 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 DioxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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