What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantJojoba Esters
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSorbic Acid
PreservativePolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglycerin-3
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Octyldodecanol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Squalane, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Isostearic Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Sorbic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglycerin-3, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Lysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Bark/Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCI 77002
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Magnesium Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Bark/Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caffeine, CI 77002, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 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 77891Glycerin (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 SulfateThis ingredient is an emulsifier. It is created from Polyglycerin-3 and Ricinoleic Acid.
As an emulsifier, it prevents waters and oils from separating. According to a manufacturer this ingredient is fully biodegradable.
This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis due to its Ricinoleic Acid base. Ricinoleic Acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterThis 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