What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, 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
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, C12-16 Alcohols, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Water, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, C14-22 Alcohols, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethiconol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Adenosine, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7, Disodium EDTA, Myristic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Propylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Linoleic Acid, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1
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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane (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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
