What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTrehalose
HumectantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, CI 77891, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Hydroxide, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Trehalose, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, CI 77492, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydrogenated Polydecene, CI 77491, CI 77499, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Punica Granatum Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientBis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Bisabolol
AntioxidantAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrated Silica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveAroma
Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHelichrysum Stoechas Extract
TonicMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Magnesium Sulfate, Bisabolol, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrated Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Alumina, Aroma, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Helichrysum Stoechas Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491
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 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 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.
Ci 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 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 DimethiconeDisteardimonium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
It’s a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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