What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveBoron Nitride
AbsorbentMica
Cosmetic ColorantLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMethicone
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, CI 77891, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Boron Nitride, Mica, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, CI 77492, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Methicone, CI 77499, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingWater, Caprylyl Methicone, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Methyl Trimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, CI 77891, Magnesium Sulfate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sorbitan Caprylate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
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
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 HydroxideCaprylyl 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 77891Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Disteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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