What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTribehenin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tribehenin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C11-15 Alketh-40
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Simethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
Cleansing
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Propanediol, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Lecithin, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C11-15 Alketh-40, C11-15 Pareth-7, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Simethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethyl Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCaprylyl 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 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 77891Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 GlycerinMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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
