What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Zinc Myristate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Polysilicone-2
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Calcium Silicate
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Succinate
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Mica, Zinc Oxide, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Myristate, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Quercetin, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Polysilicone-2, Aluminum Hydroxide, Boron Nitride, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Calcium Silicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Glucose, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Succinate, Niacinamide, Lauroyl Lysine, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientGlyceryl Diisostearate
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Triisostearin
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Simethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Glyceryl Diisostearate, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Squalane, Triisostearin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lauroyl Lysine, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tribehenin, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trihydroxystearin, Simethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Glucomannan, Mica, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Titanium Dioxide, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 77491
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 also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
Learn more about Lauroyl LysineMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaSorbitan Sesquiisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Tocopherol 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
