What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolysilicone-15
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Stearyl Dimethicone
EmollientCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Alumina
AbrasiveInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPolyether-1
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantMethoxyphenylethenyl T-Butylbenzoate
UV AbsorberBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMadecassoside
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, CI 77891, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Stearyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sucrose Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Alumina, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, CI 77492, Xanthan Gum, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Adenosine, Squalane, Polyether-1, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Methoxyphenylethenyl T-Butylbenzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ascorbic Acid, Madecassoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Zinc Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Disiloxane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, CI 77891, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Mica, CI 77492, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, CI 77499, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
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.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
Butylene 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 GlycolButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCi 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 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 77891Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 CaprylatePolymethylsilsesquioxane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol 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 PropanediolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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