What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveXylitol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
SurfactantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTin Oxide
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, CI 77891, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Synthetic Wax, Xylitol, Sodium Chloride, CI 77492, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trihydroxystearin, CI 77491, Triethylhexanoin, Dextrin Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77499, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tin Oxide, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSodium Chloride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantIsostearic Acid
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum, Tocopherol, Isostearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
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
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, 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 77891Disteardimonium 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 SilicaChances 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 ChlorideTocopherol 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 TocopherolThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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