What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77288
Water
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingKaolin
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientC30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSteareth-20
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Mica, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Kaolin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Steareth-20, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Potassium Sorbate, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 19140, CI 77007, CI 77288
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 HydroxideCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCi 77288 is used to add green pigment to products.
Dimethicone 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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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 SilicaChances 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 ChlorideTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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