What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Glycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentMagnesium Sulfate
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTrehalose
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAcrylates/Behenyl Methacrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Silica
AbrasiveAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Trehalose, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Acrylates/Behenyl Methacrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Allantoin, Propylene Carbonate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Panax Ginseng Root Water
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Acrylates/Propyl Trimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventBisabolol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLauryl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingThamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Erythritol, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Isododecane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Mica, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, CI 77492, Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Acrylates/Propyl Trimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pvp, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Water, Propylene Carbonate, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, CI 77499, CI 77491, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-13 Pareth-9, Parfum, Lauryl Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Cyclodextrin, Orchid Extract, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Thamnolia Vermicularis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
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 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 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 SulfatePeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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 CarbonateThis 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