What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Lilium Candidum Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone, Disiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Silica, Lilium Candidum Leaf Cell Extract, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropylcocoate PEG-8 Dimethicone
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Isododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Stearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingPolyglyceryl-3 Oleate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Hydroxypropylcocoate PEG-8 Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cocos Nucifera Water, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Allantoin, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is an ester of palmitic acid, a C16 fatty acid that falls within the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
