What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlumina
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Silica, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77742, CI 77007, CI 77289, CI 77288, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAlumina
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientC20-24 Olefin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingWater, CI 77891, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Isohexadecane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, CI 77492, Alumina, Butylene Glycol, Boron Nitride, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77491, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, C20-24 Olefin, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Parfum, Vitis Vinifera
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 is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is a white powder used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePhenoxyethanol 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 SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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
