What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventPropylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantFructooligosaccharides
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Magnesium Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Propanediol, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyglutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Fructooligosaccharides, 1,2-Hexanediol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77288
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Propylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycereth-26, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Talc, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77288, CI 77499, 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.
This ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 77288 is used to add green pigment to products.
Ci 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 77891Disteardimonium 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 GlycerinMagnesium Stearate is a salt that is 2 parts stearic acid and 1 part magnesium.
It is a white powder that can be used to add bulk and color to products by binding to oil ingredients.
Peg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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