What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Polybutene
Silica
AbrasiveMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPolyamide-8
EmollientPvp
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-100 Stearate
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingArachidic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Synthetic Beeswax, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polybutene, Silica, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polyamide-8, Pvp, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Lauric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Isopropyl Alcohol, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Candelilla Wax
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasiveSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeArginine
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientWater, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Steareth-21, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cellulose, Silica, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Oryza Sativa Starch, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Arginine, Tocopherol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Dimethicone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCopernicia Cerifera Wax comes from a palm tree native to Brazil; another name for this ingredient is Carnauba Wax.
This ingredient is used to thicken texture and also leaves behind a film when applied.
Fun fact: This wax has the highest melting point of all natural waxes and low solubility.
Learn more about Copernicia Cerifera WaxDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water