What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
C20-24 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polysilicone-11
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, C20-24 Alkyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Sulfate, Benzyl Alcohol, Polysilicone-11, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
Masking
Propylene Carbonate
SolventMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Linalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Parfum, Propylene Carbonate, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Linalool, Citric Acid, Limonene, Citronellol, BHT, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77007, CI 77163, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis synthetic powder is used to add a pearly/white color in cosmetics.
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 77891Disteardimonium 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxanePolysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteWater. 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
