What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
SurfactantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-8
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingIsostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingWhey Protein
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylyl Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77492, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Squalane, Alumina, CI 77499, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-8, Panthenol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Whey Protein
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Magnesium Sulfate
Octyldodecanol
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveIsohexadecane
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Stearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Silylate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBHT
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Trisiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Magnesium Sulfate, Octyldodecanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrated Silica, Isohexadecane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Triethyl Citrate, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica Silylate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, BHT, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCi 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.
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 77891Disodium 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 EDTADisteardimonium 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinIsododecane 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 IsododecaneThis is a silicone-polyether copolymer with skin conditioning, emulsifying, texture enhancing, and surfactant properties. It is used to help blend water and silicone based ingredients to improve slip and spreadability.
Due to its large molecular size and hydrophilic-lipophilic structure (it loves both oil and water), this ingredient is minimally absorbed into the skin.
Magnesium 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.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSynthetic 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 FluorphlogopiteTocopheryl 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