What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Sulfate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexadecene
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Propanediol, Synthetic Wax, Squalane, Sodium Carrageenan, Lecithin, Maris Sal, Adenosine, Caffeine, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexadecene, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Sodium Phytate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Euphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentDisodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Squalene
Emollient
Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentHemidesmus Indicus Root Powder
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hexyl Laurate, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Magnesium Stearate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Xanthan Gum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Phytate, Mica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Beta-Sitosterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Squalene, Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Hemidesmus Indicus Root Powder, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Caffeine, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum 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 HydroxideCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCi 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 77891Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateDisteardimonium 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 GlycerinMagnesium 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 SulfatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
