What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
SurfactantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Chloride
MaskingCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropanediol
SolventPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientParfum
MaskingAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingWater, Methyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propanediol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, CI 77492, Stearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Parfum, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Triethyl Citrate, Polysilicone-11, Potassium Sorbate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, CI 77491, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Adenosine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77499, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
SmoothingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Parfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disodium EDTA
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMethicone
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Niacinamide, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Sodium Chloride, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, CI 77891, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium EDTA, CI 77492, Adenosine, CI 77491, Methicone, Tocopherol
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAluminum 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 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideParfum 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 ParfumChances 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