What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Silica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Betaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Propylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Butylene Glycol, CI 77492, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Squalane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Magnesium Sulfate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, CI 77491, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Betaine, Panthenol, CI 77499, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasivePolysilicone-11
Octocrylene
UV AbsorberCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantLaureth-12
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Polysilicone-11, Octocrylene, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hexylene Glycol, Lecithin, Zinc Oxide, Laureth-12, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
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 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 77891Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
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 silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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