What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveIsotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMethicone
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-6
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Niacinamide, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Silica, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, CI 77492, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Panthenol, CI 77491, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methicone, CI 77499, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polyglycerin-6, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingAlumina
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Isododecane
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Niacinamide, CI 77492, Glyceryl Tribehenate/Isostearate/Eicosandioate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Soluble Collagen, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ceresin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Panthenol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isododecane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, CI 77491, CI 77499
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.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
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 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisteardimonium 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 GlycerinThis extract comes from the Roselle flower, or Hibiscus Sabdariffa. Roselle flowers are rich in antioxidants.
Studies found the antioxidants in Roselle flowers to potentially help reduce UV-B damage.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenyl 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 TrimethiconeSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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