What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
PEG-8
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Pantolactone
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Angelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract
MaskingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Adenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Linalool, Ascorbyl Glucoside, PEG-8, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Alcohol Denat., Geraniol, Pantolactone, BHT, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citronellol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Sorbic Acid, Adenosine Phosphate, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Toluene Sulfonic Acid
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysorbate 20, Tocopherol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Allantoin, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Dimethiconol, Xanthan Gum, Carnosine, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateButylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
