What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Oryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Decurrens Flower Cera
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isopropyl Myristate, Propanediol, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Cetyl Esters, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Oryza Sativa Cera, Jojoba Esters, Behenyl Alcohol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Sorbitan Oleate, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Polysorbate 80, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, CI 14700, CI 19140, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Trehalose
Humectant
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentResveratrol
Antioxidant
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentAcetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCreatine
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingArabidopsis Thaliana Extract
Antioxidant
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingDimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Polyester-8, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Butylene Glycol, Petrolatum, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Resveratrol, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Creatine, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Adenosine Phosphate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Plankton Extract, Isohexadecane, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Algae Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Ergothioneine, Sodium Hyaluronate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, PEG-8 Laurate, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Polyethylene, Yeast Extract, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Sodium Rna, Polysorbate 80, Lecithin, Sea Whip Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Propylene Glycol Caprylate, Phytic Acid, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891
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 a synthetic polymer used to stabilize formulas and give products a "gel-cream" feel.
When applied, this ingredient mostly stays on the surface of skin. Safety reviews have found these polymers safe in cosmetics when made to proper quality standards. Testing also shows they’re unlikely to cause irritation or sensitization at normal use levels.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePolysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
