What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Nylon-12
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethicone
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Methylpropanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, CI 77492, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Nylon-12, CI 77491, Trihydroxystearin, Phenoxyethanol, Methicone, CI 77499, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Sodium Benzoate
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSnail Secretion Filtrate, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Zinc Oxide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Diisostearyl Malate, Octocrylene, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sodium Chloride, CI 77492, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Water, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, CI 77491, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77499, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 CyclopentasiloxaneThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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