What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylcellulose
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
C13-15 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Saccharin
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantRosin
Aroma
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sorbitan Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylcellulose, Polysorbate 60, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Propanediol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propyl Gallate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, C13-15 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Saccharin, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77120, Rosin, Aroma, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 42090, CI 17200, CI 15985, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 45410
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolyethylene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Water, Lecithin, Ectoin, Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mica, 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.
This ingredient is lipid-based synthetic skin-conditioning agent derived from adipic acid and a mixture of fatty acids. It is often called a lanolin substitute.
As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate the skin. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Due to its fatty acid base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 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 77891Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
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 form of glycerin with emulsifying and emollient properties.
As an emulsifier, this ingredient helps keep products together while adding a thick texture. The manufacturer states this ingredient has emollient properties. Emollients help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate is created by reacting diglycerin and isostearic acid. Due to the isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-2 TriisostearateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
