What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77947
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 40
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Lecithin
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, CI 77891, Mica, Cyclohexasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77947, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, CI 77492, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glycerin, Parfum, CI 77491, Polysorbate 40, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lauroyl Lysine, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77499, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
CI 77947
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingStearoyl Glutamic Acid
CleansingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Homosalate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, CI 77947, Caprylyl Methicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trisiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, CI 77492, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, CI 77491, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, CI 77499, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer is a type of silicone.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTADisteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinIsopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitateIsostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its structure makes it a great surfactant.
Surfactants help decrease the surface tension between two liquids. This property also makes it an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent waters and oils from separating in a product.
Isostearic Acid is created from oleic acid.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinMethyl 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 TrimethiconeThis ingredient is an emulsifier. It is created from Polyglycerin-3 and Ricinoleic Acid.
As an emulsifier, it prevents waters and oils from separating. According to a manufacturer this ingredient is fully biodegradable.
This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis due to its Ricinoleic Acid base. Ricinoleic Acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyhydroxystearic 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 AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideStearic 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 AcidTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 WaterWe don't have a description for CI 77947 yet.