What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Silylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningUltramarines
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEuphorbia Milii Flower Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBackhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Titanium Dioxide, Parfum, Synthetic Beeswax, Silica Silylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ultramarines, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glycerin, Euphorbia Milii Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Kaolin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
SurfactantSilica
AbrasiveMagnesium Sulfate
Tribehenin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeVinyldimethicone
PEG-Crosspolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientManganese PCA
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Alcohol Denat., Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, Tribehenin, Phenoxyethanol, Vinyldimethicone, PEG-Crosspolymer, CI 77891, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Manganese PCA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
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 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t 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 SulfateThis ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
Parfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumPeg-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.
Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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