What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, C15-19 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Xanthan Gum, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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.
Propylene 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 GlycolWater. 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
