What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDiisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diglycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Ceteareth-20, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, CI 77891, Polyglycerin-3, CI 15985, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 17200, CI 45410, CI 42090, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Butylene Glycol
Dimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
MaskingCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Water, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, CI 77491, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, CI 15985, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 19140, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77499, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, CI 45410, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 42090
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 DimethiconeCi 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.
The color of this dye is orange/yellow.
This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.
Learn more about CI 15985Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
CI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 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 77891Parfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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