What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
ChelatingLimonene
PerfumingPropylene Carbonate
SolventLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Polysilicone-11, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, CI 77891, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, CI 77491, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, CI 77492, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Methicone, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 15850, Trisiloxane, CI 45410, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77499, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Propylene Carbonate, Linalool, Parfum, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSteareth-21
CleansingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientEthylcellulose
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingPolyisobutene
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhytic Acid
ChelatingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitral
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol, Steareth-21, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Ethylcellulose, Steareth-2, Diisostearyl Malate, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77891, Pentylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyacrylate-13, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, Polyisobutene, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 17200, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Aluminum Hydroxide, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Polysorbate 20, Phytic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citral, Sodium Hydroxide, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citronellol, Linalool, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
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.
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 preservatives
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 HydroxideThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 77891Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateWater. 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