What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Parfum
MaskingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Water
Skin ConditioningMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propanediol
SolventMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Parfum, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Water, Mineral Salts, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propanediol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, Sodium Citrate, Orchid Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, CI 77491, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, CI 77492, CI 77499, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mica, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Bisabolol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLysine
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingMagnesium Chloride
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, CI 77891, Alcohol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bisabolol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77492, CI 42090, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Phenoxyethanol, Lysine, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Magnesium Chloride, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Eugenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCamellia 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 ExtractCI 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 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 77891Dimethicone 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 EthylhexylglycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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