What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Tapioca Starch
Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tapioca Starch, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Silica, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sarcosine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethyl Caprylate
Propanediol
Solvent
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Aminomethyl Propanediol
BufferingBis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Phenoxyethyl Caprylate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Heptyl Undecylenate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Tocopherol, Alcohol Denat., Disodium EDTA, Palmitic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Hydroxide, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerCetearyl 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 AlcoholDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
