What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethiconol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantPEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantDiethyl Sebacate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningZein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Gamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Alcohol, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Diethyl Sebacate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin, Zein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Gamma-Docosalactone
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingOxygen
Skin ConditioningAmpd-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
CleansingIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
CleansingSoluble Collagen
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningMeadowfoam Delta-Lactone
Skin ConditioningPEG-3 Tallow Propylenedimonium Dimethosulfate
Diethyl Sebacate
EmollientPlatinum
AntimicrobialSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Oxygen, Ampd-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gamma-Docosalactone, Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone, PEG-3 Tallow Propylenedimonium Dimethosulfate, Diethyl Sebacate, Platinum, Sodium Bicarbonate, Cellulose Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopherol, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Water, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CyclopentasiloxaneWe don't have a description for Diethyl Sebacate yet.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
We don't have a description for Gamma-Docosalactone yet.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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