What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientTalc
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingNylon-12
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
CI 77004
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Pentylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Talc, Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Nylon-12, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, CI 77004, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 16255
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Isostearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Collagen, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
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 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 MethoxycinnamatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
