What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPerlite
AbsorbentSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Juglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasiveSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSimethicone
EmollientMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Perlite, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Sodium Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Simethicone, Mentha Piperita Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingSilica
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
Octyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCamellia Japonica Callus Extract
AntioxidantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentValine
MaskingArtemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientBehenic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Titanium Dioxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Malt Extract, Silica, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Camellia Japonica Callus Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Proline, Threonine, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Valine, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Isoleucine, Caprylyl Glycol, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Sodium Dna, Cetyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Behenic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide AP, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā 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 isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, 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 DioxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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