What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Rosa Centifolia Flower Oil
Masking
Epilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Extract
MoisturisingPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ozokerite, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Silica, Rosa Centifolia Flower Oil, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Prunus Persica Kernel Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingCetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica Silylate
Emollient
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Totarol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine, Cetyl Dimethicone, Carbomer, Silica Silylate, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Totarol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Sodium Citrate, CI 14700, Tocopherol
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis is a silicone-based ingredient that helps create a smooth, silky, "bouncy" texture. It also acts as an emulsifier that prevents ingredients from separating in a formula.
Due to its large molecule size and water-insolubility, this ingredient is unlikely to be absorbed into skin. Irritation and sensitization tests have found reactions to silicones are considered very rare.
You'll likely see this ingredient in leave-on products at concentrations of 0.03%-3%.
Learn more about Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
