What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Succinic Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glucose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Salicylic Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Succinic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diglycerin, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Triethanolamine, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyglutamate, Allantoin, Sorbitan Oleate, Squalane, Zinc Oxide, Adenosine, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylglycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tranexamic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Decyl Glucoside, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
