What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Silicon IconGood for Oily Skin Icon

Polyethylene

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Emollient

Homosalate

Skin Conditioning
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)

Emollient

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Skin Conditioning
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter Icon

Ozokerite

Emulsion Stabilising

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil IconEssential Oil IconEU Allergen Icon

Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil

Masking
Oil IconEssential Oil IconFragrance Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Camellia Japonica Flower Extract

Emollient

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water

Skin Conditioning
May cause irritation Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps with Anti-Aging IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Masking

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Masking
4 / 0 Oil IconCoconut Derived IconFragrance IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sea Water

Humectant

Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Astringent
Helps reduce irritation IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Tremella Fuciformis Extract

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract

Masking
May worsen Eczema Icon

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent
Helps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Epilobium Fleischeri Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract

Antimicrobial
Fragrance IconAntioxidant Icon

Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract

Skin Conditioning

Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bisabolol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Dehydroacetic Acid

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Humectant

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Capryloyl Glycine

Cleansing

Sodium Palmitoyl Proline

Skin Conditioning

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Xylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Sarcosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Oily Skin Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Oxygen

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Citral

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea IconEU Allergen Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea IconEU Allergen Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea IconEU Allergen Icon

Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ozokerite, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Sea Water, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Hexylene Glycol, Xylitol, Sarcosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Oxygen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Citral, Linalool, Limonene

Reviews

3.67
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Great Value 33% Works Well 33%
2.32
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Broke Me Out 35% Irritating 30% Oily 28%

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.

This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.

On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.

Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.

Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.

This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.

Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.

Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Perfuming

Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.

Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.

You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.

Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.

The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

Learn more about Citral
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.

As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Learn more about Dimethicone
UV Absorber, UV Filter

Ethylhexyl 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 Methoxycinnamate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin (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 Glycerin
Perfuming, Solvent

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

Learn more about Limonene
Perfuming

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

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