What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG-8
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingIsostearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTrisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
BHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingPEG/PPG-19/19 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., PEG-8, Niacinamide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Isostearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Polyquaternium-51, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Trisodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, BHT, Tocopherol, Potassium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Linalool, PEG/PPG-19/19 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3.5%
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide 0.94%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate
EmollientSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingParfum
MaskingPropylene Carbonate
SolventChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantAlumina
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate 3.5%, Titanium Dioxide 0.94%, Water, Methyl Trimethicone, Isododecane, Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Silica, Dimethicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cetyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaisostearate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Parfum, Propylene Carbonate, Chlorphenesin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Tocopherol, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
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 also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 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 77491CI 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 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Stearic 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 AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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