What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Glycerin
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, CI 77891, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Mica, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Chloride, CI 77492, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Zinc Stearate, Dextrin Palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77491, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, CI 77499, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ergothioneine
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantGlutathione
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTribehenin
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Niacinamide, Copper Tripeptide-1, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Astaxanthin, Tocopherol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77492, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ergothioneine, Betaine, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77491, Glutathione, CI 77499, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Tribehenin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Pentylene Glycol
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 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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.
Ci 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 77891Cyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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