What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 4%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Steareth-21
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Peucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicRubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 4%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hexylresorcinol, Steareth-21, Behenyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Sclerotium Gum, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Isododecane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polysilicone-11
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Zinc Oxide 12%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Isododecane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysilicone-11, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isohexadecane, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
