What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
Humectant1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingXylitol
Humectant
Rhamnose
HumectantO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Lauroyl Lysine, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Phosphate, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Arginine, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Ectoin, Mannitol, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Xylitol, Rhamnose, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientNiacinamide 5%
Smoothing
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid 1%
Astringent
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingQuercetin
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide 5%, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid 1%, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Mentha Viridis Extract, Quercetin
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
Citric 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 AcidDiethylamino 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 BenzoateWe don't have a description for Diisopropyl Sebacate yet.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
