What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Tapioca Starch
Silica
Abrasive
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingSqualane
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alumina
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tapioca Starch, Silica, Triethylhexanoin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Squalane, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mica, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Glucose, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Alumina, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glycine Soja Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenylisopropyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Fructose
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingUrea
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltose
MaskingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Isoamyl Laurate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenylisopropyl Dimethicone, Zea Mays Starch, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Fructose, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Allantoin, Maltose, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Trehalose, Glucose, Tocopherol, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, CI 77163, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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.
This 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 CarbonateSilica, 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 SilicaChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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
