What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
C13-14 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantStearoyl Inulin
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, C13-14 Alkane, Propanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Mica, Stearoyl Inulin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, CI 77007
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Glycerin
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantQuaternium-18
SurfactantHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Isohexadecane, Vinyldimethicone, Glycerin, CI 77891, Silica, Phenyl Trimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, CI 77499, Boron Nitride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Chloride, CI 77492, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, Quaternium-18, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Aluminum Hydroxide, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol
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 a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 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 TocopherolThis 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
