What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingTapioca Starch
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAcrylates Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tapioca Starch, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethanolamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Decylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carrageenan, Sodium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterSilica
AbrasiveMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterDisodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberSodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAcetyl Zingerone
AntioxidantMelanin
Skin ProtectingBenincasa Cerifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingC13-15 Alkane
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPEG-Crosspolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Triethyl Citrate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dibutyl Adipate, Isododecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Silica, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Acetyl Zingerone, Melanin, Benincasa Cerifera Fruit Extract, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Dextrin Palmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, PEG-Crosspolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tromethamine, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
You 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 TriazineAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideDibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.
UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.
Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.
Tinosorb M is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.
It's sister, Tinosorb S, is set to be approved in the US by late 2025 (fingers crossed!).
Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl TetramethylbutylphenolPropylene 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 GlycolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopheryl 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 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