What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearoyl Glutamic Acid
CleansingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyisobutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSqualane
EmollientPrinsepia Utilis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Methicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Diisostearyl Malate, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tribehenin, Trihydroxystearin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caffeine, Soluble Collagen, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, Iron Oxides, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Petrolatum, Isononyl Isononanoate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Squalane, Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Cyclodextrin, CI 77891, CI 77499
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventHydrogen Dimethicone
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane, Water, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Tribehenin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propylene Carbonate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phytosphingosine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Mica
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCyclopentasiloxane, 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having āsulfateā in the name, it isnāt a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesnāt have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTribehenin comes from glycerin and behenic acid.
It is used as an emollient, or moisturizer. Emollients form a thin barrier on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about TribeheninTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isnāt contradicting the research. Itās just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides