What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Citric Acid, Linalyl Acetate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Triethyl Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
Abrasive
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLinalool
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberSodium Sulfate
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Denatonium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Coco-Glucoside, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Limonene, Citric Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Sodium Sulfate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Acer Saccharum Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Denatonium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Dehydroacetic Acid, CI 14700, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholBenzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
