What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Stearic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingC18-21 Alkane
SolventStearyl Heptanoate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientBis-PEG-15 Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel Forming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantPEG-2 Soyamine
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingLaurus Nobilis Leaf Extract
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientCI 77004
Cosmetic ColorantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCarnitine Hcl
HumectantFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningNiacin
SmoothingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingWater, CI 77891, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, C18-21 Alkane, Stearyl Heptanoate, CI 77492, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Bis-PEG-15 Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, PEG-2 Soyamine, Dipropylene Glycol, CI 77499, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, CI 77288, CI 77007, Sodium Citrate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Extract, Silica, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, CI 77004, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Carnitine Hcl, Folic Acid, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 HydroxideCyclopentasiloxane (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 CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconeStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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