What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Decyl Cocoate
Emollient
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Sulfate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mannitol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualene
Emollient
Water, Zinc Oxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Decyl Cocoate, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Sulfate, Maltodextrin, CI 77891, Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, CI 77492, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Palmitic Acid, Allantoin, Mica, C12-16 Alcohols, Polymethyl Methacrylate, CI 77491, Glycine Soja Oil, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77499, Tocopherol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Squalene
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
C18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Iron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Isostearate, Isopropyl Myristate, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 77891Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinIsopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateMagnesium 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 SulfateMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol 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
