What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol Cocoate
EmulsifyingBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningDiamond Powder
AbrasiveNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Tyrosine
MaskingValine
MaskingSodium Phytate
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveEthylcellulose
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAspartic Acid
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysilicone-11
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Water, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Mica, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Diamond Powder, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Phenylalanine, Alanine, Arginine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine, Valine, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Lactate, Silica, Ethylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Aspartic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Polysilicone-11, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, CI 77491, Phenoxyethanol
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientLauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Silica
AbrasiveHydroxyapatite
AbrasiveBHT
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBenzoic Acid
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isopropyl Isostearate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Hydroxyapatite, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSilica, 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 Silica