What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Nylon-12
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Isohexadecane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 40
Emulsifying
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin Protecting
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexamethylindanopyran
Masking
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Terpineol
Masking
Acetylcedrene
Perfuming
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Dimethicone, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Nylon-12, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77163, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Isohexadecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polysorbate 40, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Magnesium Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Hexamethylindanopyran, Linalyl Acetate, Terpineol, Acetylcedrene, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Parfum
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Dimethyl Oxobenzo Dioxasilane
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentLaureth-12
EmulsifyingIron Oxides
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, CI 77891, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Isopentyldiol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Oxobenzo Dioxasilane, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Laureth-12, 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneThis 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolymethylsilsesquioxane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxanePolysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
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 SilicaThis silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateWater. 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
