What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides
Skin ConditioningSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer
Methyl Methacrylate/PEG/PPG-4/3 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientLaureth-12
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Vp/Va Copolymer
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Amodimethicone
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Methicone, Water, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Disiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Cyclomethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Sodium Salicylate, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate/PEG/PPG-4/3 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Laureth-12, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Amodimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Alumina
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethiconol, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77163, CI 77288, CI 77007
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 MethiconeCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateTocopherol 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 ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
Itβs 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
