What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBetaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Propylene Carbonate
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Chloride, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydantoin, Propylene Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCera Alba
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
Masking
PPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Methylpropanediol
SolventPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Algin
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Galactoarabinan
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
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, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Stearate, Cera Alba, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Carbonate, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Benzyl Salicylate, Methylpropanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Algin, Limonene, Galactoarabinan, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Biosaccharide Gum-1, 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.
Ci 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 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexyl 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 PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emulsifier that keeps the oily and watery parts of a formula blended together. Its real party trick is making thin, flowable, and very stable emulsions.
Typical use sits around 2-4% (a bit higher for sunscreens and foundations).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics and noted the large molecules aren't likely to be absorbed into skin.
Because it carries a fatty-acid ester component (stearic acid), it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-30 DipolyhydroxystearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate is a plant-derived, oil-soluble emulsifier. It keeps water-in-oil emulsions stable to prevent the ingredients from separating.
On the safety front, it's considered non-irritating and well-tolerated (it can even be found in formulations for baby skin).
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because research has shown that the Malassezia species can grow in the presence of fatty acid esters with chain lengths above C12 (and this one is C18).
While it does have a comedogenic rating of 4, the comedogenic rating scale was developed from rabbit ear models which has limited clinical relevance to human skin. Studies also show that comedogenic ingredients cannot predict how the overall formula will behave on human skin.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 DiisostearateThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateChances 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
