What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantVolcanic Ash
AbrasivePolyvinyl Alcohol
Bentonite
AbsorbentKaolin
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPvp
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingJuglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasiveSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPolyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMannitol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPolyisobutene
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
AntioxidantWater, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, Trehalose, Volcanic Ash, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Bentonite, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pvp, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, CI 77499, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Xanthan Gum, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Sorbitan Stearate, Zea Mays Starch, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, CI 77492, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Lactic Acid, Polyisobutene, CI 77491, Menthoxypropanediol, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingLithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingCalcium Chloride
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Colloidal Sulfur
AntimicrobialVolcanic Ash
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Calcium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Colloidal Sulfur, Volcanic Ash, CI 77891, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
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 HydroxideCi 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 77891Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient is a combination of two AHAs, lactic acid and glycolic acid. It has exfoliating properties
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 SilicaTocopherol 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneVolcanic Ash is an exfoliant.
Water. 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