What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isododecane, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantAlgae Extract
EmollientRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentCaffeine
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPantethine
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPEG-8 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveCellulose
AbsorbentSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Silica, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Algae Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Caffeine, Faex Extract, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pantethine, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Isostearate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Tin Oxide, Cellulose, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, BHT, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77288, Mica, CI 77163, CI 77492
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Silica, 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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