What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingSqualane
EmollientStevioside
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Polyacrylate
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceteareth-20, Squalane, Stevioside, CI 77891, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, CI 45410, Sorbitan Isostearate, CI 19140, Ammonium Polyacrylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 17200, Butylene Glycol, CI 42090, Tocopherol
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantSimethicone
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveParaffinum Liquidum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Tocopherol, Simethicone, Water, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Titanium Dioxide, CI 19140, CI 15850, Iron Oxides, Lauroyl Lysine, CI 45410, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140CI 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 45410Diisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobutenePhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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