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 ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientNylon-12
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingTribehenin
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSilica Dimethicone Silylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Simethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Isododecane, Nylon-12, PEG-10 Dimethicone, CI 77492, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Tribehenin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Alumina, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, CI 77499, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Simethicone, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateIsododecane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneChances 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 ChlorideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 Water