What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEctoin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRoyal Jelly
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ectoin, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Royal Jelly, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Resveratrol, Lecithin, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientXylitol
HumectantCaprylic Acid
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Arginine, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexyl 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 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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