What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveTephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningHonokiol
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingParfum
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Mica, Propanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Boron Nitride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Maltodextrin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Silica, Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Glucomannan, Honokiol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trihydroxystearin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPEG-4
HumectantPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentTalc
AbrasiveSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientMethicone
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Ascorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialHylocereus Undatus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-4, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Talc, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Methicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Parfum, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Alcohol, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Juice, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Citronellol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
This ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCi 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 77891Dimethicone 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 HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinParfum 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 ParfumPhenyl 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 TrimethiconeSilica, 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 SilicaSodium 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 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