What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Niacinamide 2%
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Didecene
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
C9-12 Alkane
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Niacinamide 2%, Water, Hydrogenated Didecene, Triethylhexanoin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Methyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, C9-12 Alkane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Mica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Undecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Tridecane
Perfuming
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHydroxypropyl Starch
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylene Brassylate
MaskingParfum
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Undecane, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Tridecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Butylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylene Brassylate, Parfum, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Mica, Hyaluronic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Tocopherol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Citric Acid, Isostearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Tin Oxide, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77163
Reviews
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 also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolC9-12 Alkane is synethically created using alkanes, or paraffins. It is added to products as a solvent. This means its main purpose is to help dissolve ingredients and create even texture.
Ci 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinMica 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 MicaPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteWater. 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
