What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Undecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
Triethanolamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Oleth-20
CleansingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSucrose Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Undecane, Dimethicone, Silica, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tridecane, Triethanolamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ectoin, Niacinamide, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Alpha-Arbutin, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Oleth-20, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sucrose Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Alumina
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Aroma
Glycerin
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ethylcellulose
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seedcoat Powder
Abrasive
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Isostearyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Octocrylene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Alumina, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oleth-10, Polysorbate 60, Stearic Acid, Aroma, Glycerin, Lecithin, Ethylcellulose, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seedcoat Powder, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Benzoic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerDisodium 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 EDTAThis 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 MethoxycinnamateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
