What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMagnesium Sulfate
Lecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrasodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Dimethicone, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingC8-22 Alkyl Acrylates/Methacrylic Acid Crosspolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSilica
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialPropyl Alcohol
SolventCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-5 Trioleate
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantDisodium Uridine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientUbiquinone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Squalane, Cocoglycerides, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, C8-22 Alkyl Acrylates/Methacrylic Acid Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Silica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Propyl Alcohol, Cetyl Phosphate, Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Ethyl Ferulate, Polyglyceryl-5 Trioleate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Disodium Uridine Phosphate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Ubiquinone, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 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 BenzoateThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinTocopheryl 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