What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningShea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate
Emulsifying
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tridecane
Perfuming
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate, Isoamyl Laurate, Undecane, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecane, Jojoba Esters, Magnesium Sulfate, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Raspberry Ketone, Persea Gratissima Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propylene Carbonate, Glycolipids, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglycerin-3, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Benzyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Tridecane
Perfuming
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Sulfate
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lysine
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Magnesium Chloride
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Undecane, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Tridecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Mica, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Magnesium Sulfate, Glycerin, Silica, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lysine, Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Magnesium Chloride, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as mimosa flower wax. It is a plant-derived vegetable wax with emollient and skin conditioning properties.
One manufacturer describes this ingredient as a mix of free fatty alcohols, saturated monoesters, and odd-numbered long hydrocarbon chains. This profile is consistent with a wax that can feel like an occlusive. This mixture of compounds can make this ingredient not fungal acne, or malassezia folliculitis, safe.
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 HydroxideCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.
Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.
This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed WaxJojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.
This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.
Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.
It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.
Learn more about Jojoba EstersMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePolyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTridecane is a lightweight emollient and fragrancing ingredient. It is a paraffin and often called a silicone alternative.
According to official INCI guidelines, this ingredient is used to give a light odor to raw materials. It is often used as a starter ingredient to create parfum.
This ingredient can be derived from palm oil, or coconut oil. It is also naturally found in certain species of organisms.
According to the NOAA, this ingredient can cause skin sensitivity with prolonged use. However, this warning is taken from the Coast Guard and no studies have been done on this in relation to cosmetics.
Tridecane is not water soluble.
Learn more about TridecaneUndecane is an emollient and helps create a lightweight base for products.
Is is not soluble in water and naturally occurring in some species.
Water. 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
