What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPolymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingPolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Coffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTrisodium EDTA
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Polyacrylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Trisodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantEDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Allantoin, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, C14-22 Alcohols
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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water