What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Laurate
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Magnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Silica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnesium PCA
HumectantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientZinc PCA
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingManganese PCA
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, CI 77891, Hexyl Laurate, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Magnesium PCA, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Zinc PCA, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Manganese PCA, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialTribehenin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Propylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Tribehenin, Potassium Sorbate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, CI 77891, Mica
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCi 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 HectoriteEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlycerin (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 GlycerinMica 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 “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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteWater. 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