What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Trimethoxycaprylylsilane
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Silica
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventParfum
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylene Glycol, Boron Nitride, Trimethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Mica, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum, Dimethicone, Methicone, Benzyl Benzoate, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Methicone
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Iron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Butylene Glycol, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Glycerin, Silica, Methicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Iron Oxides
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Boron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
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 DimethiconeDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMethicone is a type of silicone and is a simpler form of dimethicone.
Silicones are used to enhance the texture of products and have emollient properties. Methicone is used to give products a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Peg-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.
Silica, 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 SilicaTridecyl Trimellitate is a synthetic ingredient with emollient and skin conditioning properties. It also acts as a texture enhancer and helps products spread easily without feeling greasy.
As an emollient, it forms a light layer on the skin that keeps moisture in and improves water resistance. This is why you'll often find this ingredient in eye creams and other rich treatments.
This ingredient is seen as the elegant alternative to mineral oil.
Learn more about Tridecyl TrimellitateWater. 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
