What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCellulose
Absorbent
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Cellulose, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Silica Silylate, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alumina, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dipropylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
PEG-9 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Mica, Silica, PEG-9 Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethyl Citrate, Panthenol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 EthylhexylglycerinMagnesium 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
