What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Isethionate
CleansingOleth-10
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-33
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
PEG-8 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-14
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPPG-12-Buteth-16
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Oleth-10, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, PEG-33, Tetrasodium EDTA, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-14, Citric Acid, Decylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 14700, CI 61570, CI 19140, PPG-12-Buteth-16, BHT, CI 60730, CI 17200, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Coumarin
Sucrose
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
AbrasiveSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingParfum
MaskingKaolin
AbrasiveCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOctadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sorbic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCitric Acid
BufferingSucrose, Propylene Glycol, Water, Hydrated Silica, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Parfum, Kaolin, Cocamide Mipa, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydroxycitronellal, Coumarin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, 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.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin 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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water