What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSilica Dimethicone Silylate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMethicone
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventTalc
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Dimethicone, Water, Phenyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isododecane, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Methicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, CI 77220, Trihydroxystearin, Polysilicone-11, Potassium Sorbate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methylpropanediol, Talc, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Silica, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Poloxamer 338, Copper Gluconate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Linalool, Eugenol, Geraniol, Coumarin, Benzyl Salicylate
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 GlycolCi 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
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.
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconePotassium 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 SorbateChances 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 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