What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantLecithin
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C11-15 Alketh-40
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Simethicone
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
CleansingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Propanediol, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Lecithin, Magnesium Sulfate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C11-15 Alketh-40, C11-15 Pareth-7, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Simethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethyl Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Talc
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactic Acid
BufferingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Talc, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Tocopherol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractMagnesium 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 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 PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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