What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentIsododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingPolysilicone-11
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylene Carbonate
SolventRhododendron Ferrugineum Extract
MaskingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTetrasodium EDTA
Tribehenin
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, BHT, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Water, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hexylene Glycol, Lecithin, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Polysilicone-11, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Carbonate, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tribehenin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891
Soy Protein Phthalate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberTitanium/Titanium Dioxide 1.9%
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polysilicone-11
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAlgae Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingSucrose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientEryngium Maritimum Extract
TonicLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTourmaline
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexyl Laurate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentTrehalose
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Silylate
Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientYeast Polysaccharides
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientTocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Parfum
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSoy Protein Phthalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide 1.9%, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polysilicone-11, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Silica, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Sucrose, Glycerin, Cholesterol, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Glycine Soja Protein, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Sorbitol, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Tourmaline, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexyl Laurate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, C12-16 Alcohols, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Trehalose, Yeast Extract, Dimethicone Silylate, Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Yeast Polysaccharides, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Methicone, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum, Alcohol Denat., Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, 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.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is a high molecular weight silicone. It has emulsifying and skin conditioning properties.
Ci 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexyl Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
Learn more about IsododecanePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
This ingredient is an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearatePolysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about Triethoxycaprylylsilane