What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Laurate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Mono/Dioleate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Oleate
Emulsifying
Squalene
Emollient
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Behenyl Behenate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Cocoate
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polysilicone-11, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Laurate, Sodium Chloride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Squalane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Mono/Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate, Squalene, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phospholipids, Silica, Behenyl Behenate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningSerica
HumectantSericin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Dimethicone, Water, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Serica, Sericin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Yeast Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Isopropyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Mica, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 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 CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a powder used to improve texture, slip, and give products a silky texture.
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone is a modified version of dimethicone with emulsifying properties. It helps add a silky and lightweight feel to products like sunscreens and foundations.
Its unique structure allows it to bridge the gap between water-loving and oil-loving ingredients. This makes it especially good at creating stable, velvety, and elegant formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaThis 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 TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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
