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 ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningBroussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rhus Semialata Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningPhragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Madecassoside, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Broussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rhus Semialata Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Phragmites Communis Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate
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 GlycolDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.
UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.
Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.
Tinosorb M is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.
It's sister, Tinosorb S, is set to be approved in the US by late 2025 (fingers crossed!).
Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl TetramethylbutylphenolPhenoxyethanol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
