What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 8%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 8%, Water, Cera Alba, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Carex Humillis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Water, Zinc Oxide, Disiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Propanediol, Methyl Trimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Carex Humillis Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceCitric 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 AcidCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxanePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
