What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Silica
AbrasiveAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPolymethyl Methacrylate
Nylon-12
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventCaprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Juice
AstringentRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSilica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Nylon-12, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methicone, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Parfum, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betula Alba Juice, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Glycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Water
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingTin Oxide
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantAlumina
AbrasiveCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica, Dimethicone, Silica, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sorbitan Isostearate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Water, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, BHT, Alumina, CI 15850, CI 15985, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 45410, CI 73360, CI 77007, CI 77163, CI 77288, CI 77289, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77510, CI 77742, CI 77891
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitronellol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in Rose and Geranium oils. In cosmetics, it functions purely as a fragrance ingredient.
The scent of this ingredient is described as "fresh, rosey, and citrusy".
Typical use levels are very low since the total fragrance load in a product is usually well under 1% and citronellol is only a small fraction of that.
The EU asks brands to name it on the label once it goes above 0.001% in leave-on products of 0.01% in rinse-off ones.
It is one of the EU's labeled fragrance allergens but real-world patch testing has shown it to be fairly weak and an infrequent allergen; positive reactions land around 0.1-0.9% of patients across recent European dermatitis clinic studies.
The bigger nuance is oxidation. Citronellol forms hydroperoxides when it reacts with air. These hydroperoxides are more sensitizing than the fresh ingredient, and patch test studies confirmed oxidized Citronellol causes more reactions than purified.
This means good packaging and freshness matter more than the molecule itself.
Fragrance can be irritating to very reactive or compromised skin, so people with sensitive skin may still prefer to skip it.
Learn more about CitronellolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumThis ingredient is also known as PMMA. It is a polymer microsphere, composed of tiny, perfectly spherical particles formed from repeating units.
In cosmetics, PMMA is mainly used to give a soft or blurring effect. The transparent particles are able to scatter light and help reduce the appearance of fine-lines and imperfections.
PMMA is also able to enhance the texture of products by add a smooth feel.
Learn more about Polymethyl MethacrylateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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