What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dilauryl Thiodipropionate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tromethamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysilicone-11
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingOryzanol
Skin ConditioningKaempferia Galanga Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic Acid
CleansingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Octocrylene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Zea Mays Starch, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hexylene Glycol, Oryzanol, Kaempferia Galanga Root Extract, Caprylic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-12, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-100 Stearate
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Squalane
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Water, Zinc Oxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Coconut Alkanes, Glyceryl Stearate, Caramel, Glycerin, Silica, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Squalane, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Lecithin, Polysorbate 60, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolXanthan 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
