What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientSilica Silylate
EmollientDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Water, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Silica, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Isododecane, Silica Silylate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Carbonate, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningNylon-12
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrisodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingSilica Silylate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientBis-PEG-15 Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer
PEG-2 Soyamine
EmulsifyingIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Nylon-12, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Silica, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Beeswax, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Water, Silica Silylate, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Bis-PEG-15 Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer, PEG-2 Soyamine, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Reviews
Alternatives
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so 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 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 77891This ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerHexylene Glycol is a multitasker ingredient that works as a solvent, humectant, emulsifier, viscosity reducer, and preservative booster.
It is able to dissolve both water and oil-soluble ingredients to stabilize tricky actives and make products spread more easily.
As a humectant, it pulls water into the skin. But it's a pretty minor moisturizing ingredient compared to other humectants, like glycerin.
Interestingly, it can act as a mild penetration enhancer. One in vitro study on human skin found a 12% concentration upped the absorption of mometasone furoate (a medicinal ingredient used to treat inflammatory skin conditions) up to 7%.
This ingredient is typically used at levels of 0.1-10% depending on the role it's playing.
A patch test study on eczema patients didn't find a significant increase in irritation versus the control group, but the potential for irritation rises at higher concentrations.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium 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 SilicaSilica Silylate is a siloxane polymer, meaning it is made up of silicon and oxygen atoms. It is not soluble in water.
This ingredient is a white powder with oil-absorbing, emollient, and anticaking properties.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides