What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cellulose
Absorbent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingStearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Alumina
Abrasive
Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Phytic Acid
Beta-Caryophyllene
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel
MaskingTerpineol
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Rosa Odorata Extract
AstringentCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, C13-15 Alkane, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol Denat., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cellulose, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alumina, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Glycerin, Parfum, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Phytic Acid, Beta-Caryophyllene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Linalool, Citrus Limon Peel, Terpineol, Geraniol, Rosa Odorata Extract, CI 77891, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492
Isododecane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Perlite
Absorbent
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate/Tetraisostearate
Skin Conditioning
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Kaolin
Abrasive
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane, Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Perlite, Silica, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Dipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate/Tetraisostearate, Silica Silylate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Calcium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Kaolin, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 77163, Mica, CI 77288, CI 77007
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.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 GlycolCI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 77891Dimethicone 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 GlycerinSilica, 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 HyaluronateThis 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
