What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePhytantriol
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPropylparaben
PreservativeDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantLysine
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Chloride
Magnesium Chloride
Sodium Chloride
MaskingZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMontmorillonite
AbsorbentIllite
AbrasiveKaolin
AbrasiveWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Mica, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, CI 77491, CI 77288, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77492, CI 77007, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben, Phytantriol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hexylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Propylparaben, Dextrin Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77499, Retinyl Palmitate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lysine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Montmorillonite, Illite, Kaolin
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsoeicosane
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Isododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningChromium Oxide Greens
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientZein
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMyristic Acid
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Water
TonicTocopherol
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningFraxinus Rhynchophylla Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
TonicFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Isoeicosane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, CI 77492, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Chromium Oxide Greens, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77491, Aluminum Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Zein, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77499, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Zea Mays Starch, Parfum, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Fraxinus Rhynchophylla Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
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 HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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