What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingHexyl Laurate
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Laurate, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethyl Citrate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77288
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePhytantriol
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPropylparaben
PreservativeDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantLysine
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Chloride
Magnesium Chloride
Sodium Chloride
MaskingZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMontmorillonite
AbsorbentIllite
AbrasiveKaolin
AbrasiveWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Mica, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, CI 77491, CI 77288, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77492, CI 77007, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben, Phytantriol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hexylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Propylparaben, Dextrin Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77499, Retinyl Palmitate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lysine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Montmorillonite, Illite, Kaolin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideBoron 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77288 is used to add green pigment to products.
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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Chances 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 ChlorideTocopherol 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 Water