What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientIsoeicosane
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientIsostearyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPerfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Limonene
PerfumingMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantFicus Carica Fruit
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Isoeicosane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylparaben, Parfum, Triethyl Citrate, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Limonene, Magnesium Stearate, Ficus Carica Fruit, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77163, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-7 Methyl Ether
SolventPEG-32
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentNylon-12
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclomethicone
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Styrene/Acrylamide Copolymer
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePapain
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantRosa Alba Leaf Cell Extract
AntioxidantCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAlgin
MaskingCI 75470
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveLecithin
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeWater, Glycereth-7, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Mica, PEG-7 Methyl Ether, PEG-32, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, CI 77891, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, CI 77491, Tocopherol, CI 77163, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylparaben, Parfum, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Styrene/Acrylamide Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, CI 77492, Benzophenone-4, CI 77499, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Papain, BHT, Rosa Alba Leaf Cell Extract, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Algin, CI 75470, Tin Oxide, Lecithin, Methylparaben
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Boron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis synthetic powder is used to add a pearly/white color in cosmetics.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 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 77491CI 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 GlycerinMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum