What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Tapioca Starch
Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tapioca Starch, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Silica, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sarcosine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Homosalate 2%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 4%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientLauryl Lactate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Linalool
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate 2%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Benzophenone-3 4%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl Lactate, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycolipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Punica Granatum Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Sclerotium Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Diisopropyl Sebacate yet.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 SalicylatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 GlycolTocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
