What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingMethicone
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Propylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Boron Nitride, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Mica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Propylene Carbonate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alumina, Parfum, Methicone, Dimethicone, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sorbitol, CI 77891, CI 12085, CI 15850, Iron Oxides, CI 73360
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTalc
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingUltramarines
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Iron Oxides
Prunus Avium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientOctanediol
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Methyl Trimethicone, Talc, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, CI 73360, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Ultramarines, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Iron Oxides, Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Octanediol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty 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 DimethiconeCi 73360 is a synthetic red-pink dye.
It is soluble in water and remains chemically stable across a range of pH levels typically used in cosmetics. This helps manufacturers maintain uniform color throughout a productās shelf life.
Because this ingredient is a regulated cosmetic colorant, its purity, manufacturing standards, and allowed uses are defined by cosmetic regulations in major markets.
Learn more about CI 73360Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
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.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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 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 isnāt contradicting the research. Itās just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides