What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientLauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isopropyl Isostearate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Hydroxyapatite, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningFuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPantethine
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Cellulose
Absorbent
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Silica, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Algae Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Fuscoporia Obliqua Sclerotium Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Caffeine, Yeast Extract, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pantethine, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Isostearate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Tin Oxide, Cellulose, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, BHT, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77288, Mica, CI 77163, CI 77492
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a synthetic polymer used to stabilize formulas and give products a "gel-cream" feel.
When applied, this ingredient mostly stays on the surface of skin. Safety reviews have found these polymers safe in cosmetics when made to proper quality standards. Testing also shows they’re unlikely to cause irritation or sensitization at normal use levels.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneIsopropyl Isostearate is a synthetic ester made by combining isopropyl alcohol and isostearic acid. Its an emollient that helps hydrate skin.
This also allows it to improve spreadability of a product and give products a silky feel on skin.
While this ingredient was given a comedogenic rating of 4-5, research has shown that finished products containing comedogenic ingredients don't always increase the formation of microcomedones.
Since isostearic acid is a C18 fatty acid, this ingredient falls within the range that Malassezia feeds on. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl IsostearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWe don't have a description for PPG-15 Stearyl Ether yet.
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 SilicaSodium Dehydroacetate is a synthetic preservative and sodium salt form of dehydroacetic acid. It stops bacteria, mold, and yeast from growing in your products at low concentrations.
Clinical testing found it to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-photosensitizing. It's also not significantly absorbed through skin.
There are a very small number of reported cases of contact dermatitis in cases linked to wound-care creams used over compromised skin (rather than skincare).
Overall, this is a well-studied and low-risk preservative just doing its job.
Typical concentrations run up to 0.6%, which is also the maximum amount permitted under both EU CosIng regulations and US FDA guidelines.
Learn more about Sodium DehydroacetateTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateThis 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 Trimethylsiloxysilicate
