What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Octyldodecanol
EmollientPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Stearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasivePropylene Carbonate
SolventCeteareth-20
CleansingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSteareth-100
Gel FormingDisodium EDTA
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, CI 77891, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Silica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Octyldodecanol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alumina, Propylene Carbonate, Ceteareth-20, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Steareth-100, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, BHT, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveXylitol
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Chloride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingAlumina
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Linoleate
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMethicone
EmollientSimethicone
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, CI 77891, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylyl Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Xylitol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Isododecane, CI 77492, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Parfum, Alumina, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Linoleate, CI 77499, Methicone, Simethicone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, CI 77163, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina (aka aluminum oxide) is an inorganic mineral powder refined from bauxite that works as a quiet workhorse in a formula.
It shows up often as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking, bulking, and viscosity-controlling agent.
One of its most common jobs is acting as a pigment carrier and dispersant.
Alumina platelets are often blended with inorganic sunscreens like Titanium Dioxide (or with colorants) and then coated with a silicone such as Triethoxycaprylylsilane so the pigment spreads evenly and smoothly.
In makeup, it can also double as a light-diffusing powder or oil absorber to keep formulas from looking greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded alumina to be safe in present practices of use and concentration.
They note it's a stable, oxidized compound and scientific research has failed to establish links to health issues.
Concentrations vary depending on the product:
Learn more about AluminaCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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 77891Disteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a powder used to improve texture, slip, and give products a silky texture.
Isododecane 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.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeSilica, 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 is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water