What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberMica
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Tromethamine
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Parfum
MaskingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Squalane
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveWater, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, CI 77891, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Mica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Niacinamide, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, CI 77492, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77491, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Parfum, Lauroyl Lysine, Panthenol, CI 77499, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialQuartz
AbrasivePolyurethane-40
Bis-PEG-15 Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer
PPG-70 Glyceryl Ether
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Quartz, Polyurethane-40, Bis-PEG-15 Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer, PPG-70 Glyceryl Ether, Salicylic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicone. It has a high refractive index and adds shine to formulations.
According to the safety review by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, it is safe for use in cosmetics under the current practices and concentrations.
Disteardimonium 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 HectoriteEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidChances 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 ChlorideSodium 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 HyaluronateTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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 silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about TrimethylsiloxysilicateWater. 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