What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingNylon-12
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Nylon-12, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Stearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
Masking
Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, C13-15 Alkane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Titanium Dioxide, 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.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis is a silicone-polyether copolymer with skin conditioning, emulsifying, texture enhancing, and surfactant properties. It is used to help blend water and silicone based ingredients to improve slip and spreadability.
Due to its large molecular size and hydrophilic-lipophilic structure (it loves both oil and water), this ingredient is minimally absorbed into the skin.
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.
This ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolThis silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateChances 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 ChlorideSodium 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
