What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Canadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningMoroccan Lava Clay
Abrasive
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Sprout Extract
EmollientSerica Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Morus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Steareth-20
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Lactobacillus/Honeysuckle Flower/Licorice Root/Morus Alba Root/Pueraria Lobata Root/Schisandra Chinensis Fruit/Scutellaria Baicalensis Root/Sophora Japonica Flower Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Sodium Chloride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Triethyl Citrate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Moroccan Lava Clay, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sulfur, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glycine Soja Sprout Extract, Serica Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Steareth-20, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Charcoal Powder, Lactobacillus/Honeysuckle Flower/Licorice Root/Morus Alba Root/Pueraria Lobata Root/Schisandra Chinensis Fruit/Scutellaria Baicalensis Root/Sophora Japonica Flower Extract Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Biotin, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Kaolin
Abrasive
Phytantriol
HumectantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methicone
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Kaolin, Phytantriol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, Methicone, Octyldodecanol, Boron Nitride, Palmitic Acid, Dextrin Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Iron Oxides
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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCyclopentasiloxane, 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Chances 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 ChlorideStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopheryl 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
