What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantChrysanthemum Indicum Extract
AntioxidantMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Menthyl Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Chrysanthemum Indicum Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Resveratrol, Bisabolol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAlcohol
AntimicrobialIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterXylitol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer
Dextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Glycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientParfum
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingOctocrylene
UV AbsorberLauric/Myristic/Palmitic/Stearic Glycerides
Skin ConditioningAgar
MaskingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Tocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Xylitol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Vp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer, Dextrin Palmitate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Parfum, Methylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Octocrylene, Lauric/Myristic/Palmitic/Stearic Glycerides, Agar, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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