What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer Ethylcarbamate
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyphenylsilsesquioxane
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
MaskingFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Octyldodecanol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingAlumina
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-5 Oleate
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, CI 77891, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diglycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/Ipdi Copolymer Ethylcarbamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, CI 77492, Mica, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSqualane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Silica
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethicone
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Protein Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Pvp, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Mica, Magnesium Sulfate, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, CI 77492, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, CI 77491, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methicone, Adenosine, CI 77499, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Avena Sativa Protein Extract, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
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.
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 preservatives
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 HydroxideC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together.
It's pretty 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.
Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisteardimonium 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 GlycerinIsododecane 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.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecaneMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having ‘sulfate’ in the name, it isn’t a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesn’t have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate is a plant-derived, PEG-free emulsifier.
It's made by hooking isostearic acid onto a chain of glycerin units to give it a water-loving "head" and oil-loving "tail". This allows it to keep the oil and water mixed in a formula.
The highest reported concentration is about 24% in eye makeup but most suppliers recommend a level below 10%.
It has a clean track record for safety and found to be non-irritating.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, Malassezia can potentially metabolize it (it sits in the C11-24 range that Malassezia likes). Therefore, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateSilica, 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 SilicaStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTriethoxycaprylylsilane 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