What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C13-15 Alkane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Mica, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil, Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propanediol, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Magnesium Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyapatite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Zinc Oxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
2-Tert-Butylcyclohexyl Ethyl Carbonate
Perfuming
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, 2-Tert-Butylcyclohexyl Ethyl Carbonate, Silica, Dimethicone, Magnesium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Parfum, CI 77492, 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 a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMagnesium Stearate is a salt that is 2 parts stearic acid and 1 part magnesium.
It is a white powder that can be used to add bulk and color to products by binding to oil ingredients.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
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
