What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantPyrus Pyrifolia Fruit Extract
EmollientArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Pseudonarcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Pyrus Pyrifolia Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Silica, Tocopherol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Narcissus Pseudonarcissus Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Arginine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-14 Alketh-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 17200, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Squalane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantResveratrol
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, C9-12 Alkane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cyclodextrin, Polydextrose, Resveratrol, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
