What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
CleansingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSilica Silylate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, 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 ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasivePEG-9 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethyl Citrate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantCI 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 and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Magnesium 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.
Silica, 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 hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water