What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Ethylhexyl 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
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
EmollientHomosalate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveSqualane
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
PerfumingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingPolyether-1
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRose Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Homosalate, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Parfum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Alumina, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, CI 77491, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, CI 77492, Citric Acid, Polyether-1, Sorbitan Isostearate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rose Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Biotin, Retinyl Palmitate, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cyanocobalamin, Potassium Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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 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 HyaluronateStearic 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 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