What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Collagen
MoisturisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Dimyristate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Dimethicone, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Dimyristate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hexylene Glycol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, Mica
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC15-19 Alkane
SolventC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantGlyceryl Linolenate
EmollientPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantTripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentMagnesium Sulfate
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Lysine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientMagnesium Chloride
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, CI 77891, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C15-19 Alkane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Beeswax, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Silica, Dextrin Palmitate, Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Trehalose, Glyceryl Linolenate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Oryza Sativa Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Decylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lysine, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Magnesium Chloride, Carbomer, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491, Mica
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 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 ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so 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 DimethiconeCi 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneMagnesium 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 SulfateMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaPhenoxyethanol 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 SorbateThis 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 CarbonateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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