What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCera Alba
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingPPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Carbonate
SolventPropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingMethylpropanediol
SolventPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlgin
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingGalactoarabinan
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Stearate, Cera Alba, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Carbonate, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Benzyl Salicylate, Methylpropanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Algin, Limonene, Galactoarabinan, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Biosaccharide Gum-1, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77007, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantNylon-12
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeAlumina
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Talc, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Zinc Oxide, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Alumina, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Dimethicone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fomes Officinalis Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 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 HydroxideCi 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 77891Cyclopentasiloxane, 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 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 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateThis 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 CarbonateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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