What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Methicone
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Isododecane, Diisostearyl Malate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Polysilicone-11, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Methicone, Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Laureth-12, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Parfum, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, 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.
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 77891Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
