What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Surfactant
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Pearl
Skin ConditioningEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Ferrocyanide
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Coconut Alkanes, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propanediol, Sodium Ferrocyanide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Mica, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
Solvent
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Laurate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Dibutyl Adipate, Titanium Dioxide, Propanediol, Water, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol Denat., Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Behenyl Alcohol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyisobutene, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Adenosine, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Potassium Laurate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Thiamine Hcl, Potassium Hyaluronate, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Parfum, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
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 preservatives
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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
