What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tapioca Starch
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tapioca Starch, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethoxydiglycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-4, 1,2-Hexanediol, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Gluconate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Panthenol, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Bis-PEG-8 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Vinyldimethicone
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
Masking
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Oxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogen Dimethicone
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Perlite
Absorbent
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingGlycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingMelanin
Skin ProtectingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Water, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Octocrylene, Bis-PEG-8 Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Beeswax, Vinyldimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Oxothiazolidine, Hydrated Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, BHT, Isopropyl Myristate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Perlite, C12-14 Pareth-12, Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Melanin, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTDicaprylyl 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.
This ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.
UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.
Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.
Tinosorb M is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.
It's sister, Tinosorb S, is set to be approved in the US by late 2025 (fingers crossed!).
Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl TetramethylbutylphenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
