What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveUrea
BufferingOctocrylene
UV AbsorberHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCholesterol
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingLecithin
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-5 Trioleate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Uridine Phosphate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningWater, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica, Urea, Octocrylene, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Tocopherol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cholesterol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Triethanolamine, Lecithin, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Propanediol, Ethyl Ferulate, Polyglyceryl-5 Trioleate, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Uridine Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
Octocrylene
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Ectoin, Propanediol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolWater. 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