What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMagnesium Sulfate
Stearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantParfum
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-6
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Zinc Oxide, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, CI 77891, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methyl Trimethicone, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Caprylyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bisabolol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Polyglycerin-6, Oryza Sativa Extract, CI 77492, Isododecane, Octyldodecanol, Tocopherol, CI 77491, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Onsen-Sui
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Calcium Chloride
AstringentMagnesium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium PCA
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantOnsen-Sui, CI 77891, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, CI 77492, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Methyl Trimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium PCA, Panthenol, Potassium PCA, Sodium PCA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Parfum, CI 77491, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCi 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 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 77891Glycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane 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 IsododecaneThis ingredient is an synthetic emollient, emulsifier, and used as a surface treatment for pigment particles (like iron oxides or titanium dioxide).
The ātriisostearateā part of this ingredient is an ester derived from isostearic acid, a long-chain fatty acid.
It "wraps" these ingredients in a form of slippery jacket so they disperse more evenly in oils, glide better on skin, and stick longer without smudging.
Human repeat insult patch tests on foundations containing this ingredient found no sensitization concerns.
Since isostearic acid is a C18 fatty acid, it falls within the carbon chain length that Malassezia can potentially metabolize. This is why this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl Titanium TriisostearateMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having āsulfateā in the name, it isnāt a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesnāt 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 SulfateMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconeOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate is a plant-derived emulsifier made by combining glycerin and ricinoleic acid.
It works well for giving buttery lip balms and low-viscosity water-in-oil emulsions a non-greasy and pleasant skin feel.
Typical concentrations range from 0.1-3%.
This ingredient is mild and non-irritating in nature.
Because it is derived from ricinoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleatePolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate is a plant-derived, PEG-free emulsifier.
It's made by hooking isostearic acid onto a chain of glycerin units to give it a water-loving "head" and oil-loving "tail". This allows it to keep the oil and water mixed in a formula.
The highest reported concentration is about 24% in eye makeup but most suppliers recommend a level below 10%.
It has a clean track record for safety and found to be non-irritating.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, Malassezia can potentially metabolize it (it sits in the C11-24 range that Malassezia likes). Therefore, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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