What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBetaine
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingLaurus Nobilis Leaf Extract
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMyristic Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Betaine, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, CI 77492, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Glycosyl Trehalose, Palmitic Acid, CI 77491, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77499, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Adenosine, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Propylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventStearic Acid
CleansingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, CI 77492, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, C13-15 Alkane, Stearic Acid, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Propanediol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, CI 77491, Sodium Benzoate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Beeswax, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disiloxane, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Propolis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Tocopherol
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAluminum 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 HydroxideCi 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, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSilica, 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 SilicaSorbitan Sesquioleate is derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It is an emulsifier and prevents ingredients from separating.
Specifically, this ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier, meaning it helps water dissolve into oil.
Some studies suggest this ingredient may cause irritation in some people. If you are unsure, it is best to patch test.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan SesquioleateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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