What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C13-15 Alkane
SolventSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Magnesium Sulfate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIsotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Benzyl Glycol
SolventPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Convallaria Majalis Bulb/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Liliflora Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tbhq
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, C13-15 Alkane, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Magnesium Sulfate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Triethyl Citrate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Potassium Sorbate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol, Maltodextrin, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Squalane, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Benzyl Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Hyaluronic Acid, Convallaria Majalis Bulb/Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Flower Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Tocopherol, Tbhq, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Trihydroxystearin, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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 silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCyclopentasiloxane, 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 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTADisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterThis ingredient is a combination of red, black, and yellow iron oxide pigments. This combination of colors is usually found in foundation, because it results in a "skin" color.
The EU typically uses CI numbers for colorants when applicable, such as CI 77489. In the US, iron oxides are regulated as color additives and "iron oxides" is the most commonly used name in US cosmetic practice.
A 2021 paper looked at skincare formulations containing iron oxides and found that they reduced transmission of blue light when measured optically. In simple terms, the pigment particles helped block or scatter part of the visible light spectrum in lab testing and the authors suggest this could translate into better protection against blue-light-related skin effects.
There is also clinical and experimental research showing that tinted products containing iron oxides can reduce visible light-induced pigmentation:
Please note, whether a product reduces visible or blue light depends on things like:
In the EU's CosIng database, iron oxides are only listed as a colorant. CosIng groups ingredients by their main cosmetic role, such as colorant, preservative, or UV filter.
Though studies say iron oxides can "attenuate blue light", they're describing an optical property and not an officially recognized cosmetic function.
So CosIng isn’t contradicting the research. It’s just classifying iron oxides by what they officially are: pigments that add color.
Learn more about Iron Oxides
