What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Tapioca Starch
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Parfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
EmollientWater, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Tapioca Starch, CI 77492, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77491, CI 77499, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methicone
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMagnesium Sulfate
Propylene Carbonate
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylparaben
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTriisopropanolamine
BufferingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Boron Nitride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Mica, Talc, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Sulfate, Propylene Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylparaben, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Triisopropanolamine, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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 Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Cyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 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 HectoriteMagnesium 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 CarbonateTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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