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
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucose
HumectantParfum
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane, Water, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Niacinamide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Tocopherol, Glucose, Parfum, 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.
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 HydroxideCaprylyl 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.
Dimethicone 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 HectoriteGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateMagnesium 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 SulfatePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolyglyceryl-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 IsostearateTocopherol 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