What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Neopentanoate
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Glucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventFructose
HumectantAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Propanediol, Fructose, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Dimethicone
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyethylene
AbrasivePropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
AntioxidantDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTalc
AbrasiveGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Methylparaben
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePalmitic Acid
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicPhoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientProlinamidoethyl Imidazole
Skin ProtectingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Water, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Boron Nitride, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Dextrin Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Talc, Glycine Soja Oil, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Lauroyl Lysine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Paraffinum Liquidum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Panthenol, Escin, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Prolinamidoethyl Imidazole, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, 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.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 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 77491CI 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 77891Dimethicone 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 CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a powder used to improve texture, slip, and give products a silky texture.
Isododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneThis ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
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 silica is mainly used to thicken oils and suspend particles in oils. It is not water soluble.
According to the manufacturer, it:
The manufacturer also claims this ingredient to be useful in makeup.
In lipstick formulations, this ingredient improves color payoff, reduces pigment settling, and reduces oil bleeding. This ingredient also improves the grip of powder products such as dry shampoos.
Learn more about Silica Dimethyl SilylateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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