What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Polyacrylate-13
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-100 Stearate
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyisobutene
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, C14-22 Alcohols, Polyacrylate-13, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Polyisobutene, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Zinc Oxide, Xylitylglucoside, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Anhydroxylitol, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPhenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Nylon-12
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Phenethyl Benzoate, CI 77891, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Nylon-12, Polysilicone-15, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Tromethamine, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideYou 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 TriazineButylene 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 GlycolDiethylamino 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 BenzoateDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
