What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-9 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Mica, PEG-9 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
Emollient
Citronellol
Perfuming
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Disodium EDTA
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGeraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, BHT, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Citronellol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Laureth-7, Lecithin, Limonene, Linalool, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Propylene Carbonate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, 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.
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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 SulfateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
