What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate
Emollient
Quaternium-18 Hectorite
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Talc
Abrasive
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Quaternium-18 Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Talc, CI 77492, CI 77288, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Talc
Abrasive
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTribehenin
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Silica, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Talc, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Sodium Chloride, Mica, Tribehenin, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methicone, Propylene Carbonate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77007, CI 77163, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, 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.
Caprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140CI 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 77492Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateIsododecane 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 IsododecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTalc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.
Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.
If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.
Learn more about TalcWater. 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
