What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingPolypropylsilsesquioxane
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientLilium Candidum Flower Water
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Algae Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Zinc Oxide, Methyl Trimethicone, Isododecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, CI 77891, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77492, Cyclopentasiloxane, Mica, Sorbitan Isostearate, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Pentylene Glycol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, CI 77491, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglycerin-6, Octyldodecanol, Lactic Acid, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, CI 77499, Silica, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Lilium Candidum Flower Water, Chrysin, Tocopherol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Niacinamide, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientZein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingCalcium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
AstringentCitral
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialSucrose Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLysolecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Madecassoside
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Isododecane, Dipropylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Cera Alba, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glyceryl Caprylate, Zein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Zea Mays Starch, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Dipotassium Phosphate, Calcium Stearate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Citral, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Lecithin, Glycerin, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Alcohol, Sucrose Laurate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Copper Gluconate, Lysolecithin, Ceramide NP, Limonene, Linalool, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Madecassoside, Tocopherol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77288
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
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 HydroxideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCi 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 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 77891Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicone. It has a high refractive index and adds shine to formulations.
According to the safety review by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, it is safe for use in cosmetics under the current practices and concentrations.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane 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 IsododecaneIsononyl 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 IsononanoateMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconeNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateTocopherol 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