What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Gellan Gum
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Alginate
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
BHT
Antioxidant
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, CI 77891, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Gellan Gum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Calcium Alginate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, CI 77491, Tin Oxide, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Benzoate, BHT, Diamond Powder, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Polyvinyl Alcohol
BHT
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Isopropyl Myristate, Synthetic Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Plankton Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Silica, Polyvinyl Alcohol, BHT, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, CI 77491, CI 77492
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 77491Glycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
