What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTalc
AbrasiveTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAcrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
EmollientBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAmmonium Acrylates Copolymer
Tribehenin
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLecithin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Carbonate
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSilica
AbrasiveSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingLaureth-30
CleansingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeTrehalose
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriacetin
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Tribehenin, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lecithin, Laureth-7, Alumina, Phenoxyethanol, Trihydroxystearin, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate, Silica, Sodium PCA, Urea, Laureth-30, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Trehalose, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Caprylyl Glycol, Triacetin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingConvallaria Majalis Bulb/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMagnolia Liliflora Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTbhq
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Convallaria Majalis Bulb/Root Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Geraniol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Magnolia Liliflora Flower Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Triethyl Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tbhq, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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 DimethiconeCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTADisteardimonium 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 GlycerinPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
It is used to help stabilize other antioxidants or prevent the color from changing in a product.
As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Thus, antioxidants may reduce the signs of aging.
This ingredient is oil-soluble.
Learn more about Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides