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
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
PEG-30 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oak Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rhus Glabra Bark/Berry/Root Extract
AntiseborrhoeicWool Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sucrose Dilaurate
Emollient
Hexyl Dimethylolpropionate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PEG-30 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sucrose Stearate, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Oak Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Rhus Glabra Bark/Berry/Root Extract, Wool Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tocopherol, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Isostearic Acid, Sucrose Dilaurate, Hexyl Dimethylolpropionate, Sodium Hydroxide, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Alcohol, Parfum
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 AlcoholYou 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 TriazineEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about Parfum
