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 ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbonate
BufferingPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTribehenin
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeTalc
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Carbonate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diglycerin, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Isostearate, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tribehenin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Talc, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum 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 HydroxideDimethicone 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolThis ingredient is an emollient designed to leave a non-greasy feel. It is also a skin conditioning agent and viscosity modifier.
Skin irritation studies for this ingredient (up to 80%) showed mimimal to no irritation.
One thing worth knowing: this ingredient may enhance the skin penetration of other ingredients.
Overall, this ingredient is a well-tolerated and lightweight emollient.
Learn more about Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/DicaprateSilica, 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