What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningMagnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientMagnesium Myristate
Silica
AbrasivePhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Dimethicone
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveCalamine
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Magnesium/Potassium/Silicon/Fluoride/Hydroxide/Oxide, Zinc Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mica, Dimethicone, Magnesium Myristate, Silica, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogen Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Calamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Oleanolic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Silica
AbrasiveTalc
AbrasiveBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePolydiethylsiloxane
EmollientSilk Powder
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCalamine
AbsorbentPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningSilica, Talc, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Polydiethylsiloxane, Silk Powder, Alcohol, Parfum, Calamine, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Oleanolic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilBeta-Sitosterol is a plant-derived fatty acid with a structure similar to cholesterol (which naturally occurs in skin). It helps hydrate the skin and stabilize formulations.
This ingredient can be naturally found in fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds.
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 GlycolCalamine is a "pink powder" that is used to calm itchy or irritated skin. In official medical standards, calamine is basically almost all zinc oxide with a tiny bit of iron oxide added for the pink color.
Lab testing requires that it’s at least 98% zinc oxide, which just means it has to be very pure and mostly zinc oxide.
In skincare, calamine can help relieve itches, calm skin, and absorb excess moisture/oil. This is why you'll often see it used for oozing rashes. Calamine is approved as a skin protectant active at 1-25% in US OTC drug products.
A big part of calamine's soothing effect comes from zinc oxide's protective properties. Since calamine can absorb excess moisture/oil, it might be drying for already dry skin types.
A review of topical medicament allergies notes that contact dermatitis from calamine isn't typically reported, but added actives in a formulation are known sensitizers.
Learn more about CalamineDimethicone 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 DimethiconeWe don't have a description for Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract yet.
Oleanolic acid is a type of triterpene.
Triterpenes are chemical compounds found in various plants such as pomegranates, apples, basil, and rosemary. They have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPrunus Persica Fruit Extract comes from peaches.
Peaches are rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamins C, E and A. Antioxidants help reduce the signs of aging. These vitamins also have plenty of skin benefits on their own (for instance, Vitamin C, E helps with skin brightening).
Peach extract is also an abrasive. Abrasives are an agent used to wear away the surface of skin. They are used to help polish or exfoliate skin.
Emerging research shows Peach extract may help protect UV-B induced skin damage. However, further research is needed.
Learn more about Prunus Persica Fruit ExtractSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract can be good for oily skin.
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 SilicaThis ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
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 Tocopherol