What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantTromethamine
BufferingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Stearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientKaolin
AbrasiveAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglycerin-6
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Niacinamide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, CI 77891, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, CI 77007, Tromethamine, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Silica, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Kaolin, Allantoin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Adenosine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglycerin-6, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, T-Butyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolysilicone-15
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingAdansonia Digitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBuddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingCentaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Stearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPolyether-1
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentWine
Skin ConditioningUltramarines
Limonene
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Niacinamide, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, 2,3-Butanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Tocopherol, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Methylpropanediol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sucrose Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alumina, Glyceryl Caprylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Squalane, Polyether-1, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glutathione, Allantoin, Panthenol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Maltodextrin, Wine, Ultramarines, Limonene
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateDibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWe don't have a description for Vp/Eicosene Copolymer yet.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water