What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningRosa Davurica Bud Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77492, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77499, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Rosa Davurica Bud Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingMyristic Acid
CleansingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingDahlia Variabilis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Myristic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Dna, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Dahlia Variabilis Flower Extract, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Limonene, Linalool
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
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 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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