What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Magnesium Sulfate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingC24-28 Alkyl Methicone
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone, Water, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Benzoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, C24-28 Alkyl Methicone, Propylene Carbonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientLauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingWhey Protein
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Nylon-12
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLinalool
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, CI 77220, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Whey Protein, Butyl Avocadate, Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Zinc PCA, Isohexadecane, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Hydroxyapatite, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Linalool, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 75470, CI 77289, CI 77288, CI 77510, CI 77742, CI 77007, Zinc Oxide, CI 17200, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, 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 TrimethylsiloxysilicateThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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
