What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methicone
EmollientStearoyl Inulin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCyclopentasiloxane, Water, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Silica, Mica, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Aluminum Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methicone, Stearoyl Inulin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, CI 77492, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cellulose Gum, CI 77491, Butylene Glycol, CI 77499, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Orchid Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Titanium/Titanium Dioxide 15.97%
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Isopropyl Palmitate
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRepagermanium
Skin ConditioningTitanium/Titanium Dioxide 15.97%, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, CI 77492, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77491, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77499, Glyceryl Caprylate, Trihydroxystearin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Silica, Adenosine, BHT, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Repagermanium
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 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 77491CI 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 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
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 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 CrosspolymerDisteardimonium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl 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 CaprylateMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having āsulfateā in the name, it isnāt a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesnāt have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateSilica, 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 SilicaTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 Triethoxycaprylylsilane