What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Mentha Viridis Extract
MaskingMentha Aquatica Extract
TonicMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyether-1
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mentha Viridis Extract, Mentha Aquatica Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Polyether-1, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingEthyl Linalool
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingCyclamen Aldehyde
Masking
Gamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
Perfuming
Citronellyl Acetate
MaskingMethyl Dimethylmethylenecyclohexane Carboxylate
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Homosalate, Alcohol Denat., Cyclopentasiloxane, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ethyl Linalool, Triethanolamine, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Gamma-Undecalactone, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Citronellyl Acetate, Methyl Dimethylmethylenecyclohexane Carboxylate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
