What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHectorite
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingHexyl Laurate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Alumina
Abrasive
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Coconut Alkanes, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Laurate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Alumina, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891, Iron Oxides, Tin Oxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77163, Mica, Magnesium Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingCanadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningMoroccan Lava Clay
Abrasive
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Sprout Extract
EmollientSerica Extract
Skin ConditioningSilk Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Morus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Steareth-20
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Lactobacillus/Honeysuckle Flower/Licorice Root/Morus Alba Root/Pueraria Lobata Root/Schisandra Chinensis Fruit/Scutellaria Baicalensis Root/Sophora Japonica Flower Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Sodium Chloride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Triethyl Citrate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Moroccan Lava Clay, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sulfur, Cholesterol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glycine Soja Sprout Extract, Serica Extract, Silk Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Steareth-20, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Charcoal Powder, Lactobacillus/Honeysuckle Flower/Licorice Root/Morus Alba Root/Pueraria Lobata Root/Schisandra Chinensis Fruit/Scutellaria Baicalensis Root/Sophora Japonica Flower Extract Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Biotin, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
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 HydroxideCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisteardimonium 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 HectoriteHexyl Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate is a plant-derived, PEG-free emulsifier.
It's made by hooking isostearic acid onto a chain of glycerin units to give it a water-loving "head" and oil-loving "tail". This allows it to keep the oil and water mixed in a formula.
The highest reported concentration is about 24% in eye makeup but most suppliers recommend a level below 10%.
It has a clean track record for safety and found to be non-irritating.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, Malassezia can potentially metabolize it (it sits in the C11-24 range that Malassezia likes). Therefore, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideStearic 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 AcidTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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
