What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Silica
AbrasiveIsohexadecane
EmollientPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Isohexadecane, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polysorbate 80, Polysilicone-11, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingTapioca Starch
Dimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
EmulsifyingPeucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicPolyacrylamide
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethiconol
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 9%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 6%
UV AbsorberWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tapioca Starch, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Polyacrylamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethiconol, Laureth-7, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Titanium Dioxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 6%
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water