What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Caprylyl Dimethicone Ethoxy Glucoside
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Silica
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aroma
Limonene
Perfuming
Cinnamal
Perfuming
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methyl Trimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Dimethicone Ethoxy Glucoside, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethyl Citrate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Aroma, Limonene, Cinnamal, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77891
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 2.7%
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polysilicone-11
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 2.7%, Dimethicone, Water, Isododecane, Alcohol Denat., Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polysilicone-11, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Silica Silylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Parfum, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Limonene, Maltodextrin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Lactobacillus, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
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 HydroxideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimonenePeg-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.
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.
Silica, 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 SilicaChances 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 ChlorideThis 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
