What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polybutene
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polybutene, Titanium Dioxide, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Betaine, Silica, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Laureth-7, Dipropylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tromethamine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77492, CI 77491, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Caffeine, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C13-14 Isoparaffin is a synthetic emollient, solvent, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and improves spreadability without leaving a greasy residue.
This ingredient has been found to be non-sensitizing and safe for use in cosmetics.
Two things floating around online that cause fear-mongering:
There's one scary-sounding study related to kidney tumors in male rats; this depends on a protein called alpha-2u-globulin that binds the ingredient and clogs up kidney cells. Female rats barely make this protein, and humans don't make it at all so this effect cannot happen to us. Regulatory bodies have states this rat-only pathway shouldn't be used to judge human risk.
The other thing you'll see is 1,4-dioxane being a trace byproduct that can form during manufacturing of petroleum-derived ingredients. This is a real, but heavily managed/monitored issue. This byproduct is removed through purification steps before the ingredients goes into the formula. Regulatory bodies also actively monitor residual levels for safety.
One last thing to note: this ingredient is a pure hydrocarbon with no fatty-acid or ester chains for Malassezia to feed on, so it's considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisodium 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 EDTALaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, 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 SilicaWater. 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