What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethylacrylamide/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingSilica
AbrasiveOleth-10
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trehalose
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlutathione
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveMilk Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantCollagen
MoisturisingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientNephrite Powder
AbrasiveWater, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethylacrylamide/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Silica, Oleth-10, Polysorbate 60, Parfum, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Urea, Trideceth-6, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trehalose, Adenosine, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Canola Oil, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glutathione, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Milk Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Soluble Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Collagen Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Nephrite Powder
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilk Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Powder
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Royal Jelly Extract, Pearl Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Silk Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Titanium Dioxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Trideceth-6, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Betaine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Powder
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumThis long ingredient is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers.
It is used to help stabilize other ingredients and create a thicker gel-like texture.
Emulsifiers prevent oils and waters from separating.
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as âmineralâ by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnât as strong as zinc oxideâs, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWe don't have a description for Trideceth-6 yet.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane 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