What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Parfum
Masking
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Water
Skin ConditioningMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propanediol
Solvent
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dipropylene 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
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Methyl Trimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trisiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Tocopherol, Mandelic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Water, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Hexylene Glycol
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 CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
