What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Zinc Oxide, Collagen Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Butylene Glycol, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bakuchiol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mica, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCeteareth-20
CleansingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Steareth-100
Gel FormingDisodium EDTA
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Marrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, CI 77891, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Silica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Octyldodecanol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alumina, Propylene Carbonate, Ceteareth-20, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Steareth-100, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, BHT, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium 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 HectoriteEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 IsododecaneMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t 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 SulfatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeStearic 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 AcidTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis 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 Water
