What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tribehenin
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Alumina
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Pentylene Glycol, Mica, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Tribehenin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyphenylsilsesquioxane
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Sulfate
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Disiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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 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 DimethiconeCI 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 77492Ethylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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 TrimethiconeTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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
