What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Silica
Abrasive
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Triethanolamine, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Secale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Zinc Oxide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Silica, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, BHT
Reviews
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 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 DimethiconeHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate is a positively charged version of hyaluronic acid.
This small change does a lot in a formula:
Regular hyaluronic acid carries a negative charge and so does the surface of your skin. This means the two repel each other and hyaluronic acid can be washed away easily. The positive charge here does the opposite: it makes the ingredient cling to your skin (also called "substantivity") so it keeps hydrating even in rinse-off products where it lays down a light, moisture-holding film.
The research backs this up too; a 2025 clinical study on a shower gel containing 0.1% positively charged hyaluronic acid increased skin hydration by 6.6% versus the baseline and 11.1% versus the placebo. This was measured 6 hours after 1 minute of contact and rinse, and on volunteers with very dry skin.
The same team's lab work showed it adhered to skin far better than unmodified hyaluronic acid (+107% vs. low molecular weight, +23% versus high molecular weight). They also found it increased two proteins tied to skin hydration, aquaporin-3 by 16% and filaggrin by 35%.
A separate 2024 study reached a similar conclusion and credited the hydrating benefits to its film-forming properties.
Both studies used the ingredient at 0.1% which also matches how much it usually shows up in products (at fractions of a percent).
One honesty note worth keeping in mind: the published research comes from the company that manufactures the ingredient so independent data would strengthen the picture. However, the results are consistent and the mechanism makes sense.
As a Hyaluronic Acid derivative, it has a well-tolerated profile and suits most skin types.
Learn more about Hydroxypropyltrimonium HyaluronatePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, 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
