What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
Octocrylene
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Ectoin, Propanediol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycine Soja Phytoplacenta Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingRoyal Jelly
Butylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Olivoyl PCA
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingGalactoarabinan
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMelatonin
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Zinc Oxide, Glycine Soja Phytoplacenta Extract, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Glycereth-26, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Niacinamide, Royal Jelly, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Potassium Olivoyl PCA, Ceramide NP, Tromethamine, Galactoarabinan, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Melatonin, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide and formally known as ceramide 3.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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 hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water