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 ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Sulfate
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingParaffin
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Methicone
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Niacinamide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Paraffin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Microcrystalline Wax, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica Silylate, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Caffeine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrated Silica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Methicone, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007, CI 15985, CI 42090, CI 45410, CI 15850
Reviews
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 HydroxideDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
