What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
C15-19 Alkane
SolventDimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium Sulfate
Polysilicone-11
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cellulose
AbsorbentCalluna Vulgaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, C13-15 Alkane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C15-19 Alkane, Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Betaine, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Cellulose, Calluna Vulgaris Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Mica, Glycerin, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Magnesium Stearate, CI 77491, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventTalc
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Isododecane
EmollientSodium Chloride
Masking
Magnesium Sulfate
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingC24-28 Alkyl Methicone
Emollient
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
Methicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Dimethicone, C13-15 Alkane, Talc, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Isododecane, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, C24-28 Alkyl Methicone, Polyquaternium-51, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Methicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolC13-15 Alkane is a group of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
It is a solvent and texture enhancer. Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecaneMagnesium 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 SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol (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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
