What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Polysilicone-9
Squalane
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Acrylates/Diacetoneacrylamide Copolymer
Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polysilicone-15, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polysilicone-9, Squalane, BHT, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Acrylates/Diacetoneacrylamide Copolymer, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Parfum
Propane
PEG-3 Dicaprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Turtle Extract
EmollientHematite Extract
Skin ProtectingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentMentha Citrata Leaf Extract
Astringent
Rosa Rugosa Stem Extract
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Algae Extract
EmollientSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Phenyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Squalane
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propane, PEG-3 Dicaprylate/Caprate, Alcohol, Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Turtle Extract, Hematite Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Mentha Citrata Leaf Extract, Rosa Rugosa Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Algae Extract, Soluble Collagen, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Phenyl Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Cyclomethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Squalane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polysilicone-15, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTYou 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 TriazineC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDiethylamino 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 BenzoatePolysilicone-15 is a chemical UV filter that absorbs UV-B rays.
It is a photostable ingredient used to boost SPF factor and protect products from UV-induced deterioration.
This ingredient is not water-soluble.
Learn more about Polysilicone-15Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneThis silicone is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
It is not soluble in water and helps increase water-resistance in products.
According to a manufacturer, it can blend seamlessly with silicone oils, such as Cyclopentasiloxane.
Learn more about Trimethylsiloxysilicate
