What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Methacrylate/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingAlumina
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Homosalate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Methacrylate/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, CI 77492, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Alumina, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Simethicone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysilicone-11, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, CI 77499, BHT, Tocopherol
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilk Powder
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantLauroyl Lysine, Zinc Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silk Powder, Niacinamide, Glycine Soja Oil, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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, 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.
Ci 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 77891Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
Learn more about Lauroyl LysineNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideTocopherol 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