What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
CleansingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77492
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, CI 77891, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylyl Methicone, Trisiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77492, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitol, CI 77163, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Synthetic Wax, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77491, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, CI 77499, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Isododecane
EmollientBis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3
CleansingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantErythritol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantIsostearic Acid
CleansingBis-Behenyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearic Acid
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTrisodium EDTA
Methylparaben
PreservativeCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolysilicone-2
Trehalose
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPyrus Cydonia Seed Extract
MaskingTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingTheanine
EmollientPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantRosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicMica
Cosmetic ColorantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Titanium Dioxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isododecane, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77492, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, CI 77120, Erythritol, Xylitol, Isostearic Acid, Bis-Behenyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, CI 77491, Trisodium EDTA, Methylparaben, CI 77499, Polysilicone-2, Trehalose, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, BHT, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Theanine, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Glycine, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Mica, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 HydroxideBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCi 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 77891Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisteardimonium 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 Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol