What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyethylene
AbrasivePropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHomosalate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Niacinamide
SmoothingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterVinyldimethicone
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningMesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningPolyurethane-11
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Polyethylene, Propylheptyl Caprylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Homosalate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Vinyldimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ozokerite, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyurethane-11, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Astaxanthin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol
Isopropyl Palmitate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolyethylene
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCerium Oxide
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientFructan
Skin ConditioningPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract
PerfumingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventHydrogen Dimethicone
Tocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentIsopropyl Palmitate, Zinc Oxide, Polyethylene, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Vinyldimethicone, Ozokerite, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cerium Oxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Fructan, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Propanediol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Octyldodecanol, Maltodextrin
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
Bambusa Vulgaris Water comes from bamboo plant.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl 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 GlycolOzokerite is a naturally occuring mineral wax. In cosmetics, ozokerite is used as a texture enhancer.
Ceresin wax is derived from this ingredient.
The melting point of ozokerite is 58-100 C.
Ozokerite is found all over the world including Scotland, the US, and India.
Learn more about OzokeritePolyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
It is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.
This ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier and is sometimes known by its trade name, Isolan GPS. It helps create stable emulsions by bridging oil and water phases without adding a greasy feel.
Common usage levels sit between 2-5% for this ingredient.
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 SilicaSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerVinyldimethicone is a type of silicone.
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