What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyapatite
Abrasive
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
Humectant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantFarnesol
Perfuming
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, CI 77492, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyapatite, CI 77288, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77491, Panthenol, Bisabolol, CI 77220, Butylene Glycol, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Fructose, CI 77499, Farnesol, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phosphatidylcholine, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Pentylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Tocopherol, Bioflavonoids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Tromethamine, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Ethyl Hexanediol
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.Â
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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
