What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Trehalose
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Triacetin
AntimicrobialUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium PCA, Urea, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trehalose, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Triacetin, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Iron Oxides, CI 77891, CI 12085, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 45410, CI 73360
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate
Emollient
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer
C9-12 Alkane
SolventTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Illite
Abrasive
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Hibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Octyldodecanol, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, C9-12 Alkane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Alumina, Illite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tin Oxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Tocopherol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina (aka aluminum oxide) is an inorganic mineral powder refined from bauxite that works as a quiet workhorse in a formula.
It shows up often as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking, bulking, and viscosity-controlling agent.
One of its most common jobs is acting as a pigment carrier and dispersant.
Alumina platelets are often blended with inorganic sunscreens like Titanium Dioxide (or with colorants) and then coated with a silicone such as Triethoxycaprylylsilane so the pigment spreads evenly and smoothly.
In makeup, it can also double as a light-diffusing powder or oil absorber to keep formulas from looking greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded alumina to be safe in present practices of use and concentration.
They note it's a stable, oxidized compound and scientific research has failed to establish links to health issues.
Concentrations vary depending on the product:
Learn more about AluminaCi 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 77891Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeThis 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 CarbonateSodium 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
