What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Isododecane
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, CI 77891, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, CI 77492, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Caprylyl Methicone, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Isododecane, Magnesium Sulfate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77499, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBakuchiol
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPetroselinum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, CI 77891, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77491, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bakuchiol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, CI 77499, Adenosine, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Petroselinum Sativum Extract, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineAluminum 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 GlycolThis 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 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 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinPeg-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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateStearic 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 AcidTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TrimethylsiloxysilicateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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