What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butane
Isobutane
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Propane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantParfum
Masking
Erythrulose
TanningCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Terpineol
Masking
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Propanediol, Butane, Isobutane, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Propane, Phenoxyethanol, Ethoxydiglycol, Parfum, Erythrulose, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Saccharide Isomerate, Mica, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Terpineol, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Geranyl Acetate, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Carnitine
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Lecithin, Caffeine, Palmitoyl Carnitine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneEthoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
