What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientPolybutene
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTalc
AbrasiveC30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingMagnesium Sulfate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Aluminum Hydroxide
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingDimethiconol Stearate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Polybutene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Talc, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Sorbitan Oleate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Carbonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Allantoin, Boron Nitride, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Dimethiconol Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCalcium Oxide
BufferingTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Silica, Mica, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline Wax, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Parfum, Propylene Carbonate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Calcium Oxide, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Ceramide NP, Salicylic Acid, Tripeptide-1, 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.
Boron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
Butylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 IsododecaneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 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