What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingAdipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterTribehenin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeDecyl Glucoside
CleansingEthylparaben
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Tribehenin, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylparaben, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylparaben, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDibutyl Adipate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethyl Caprylate
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Olivoyl Glutamate
CleansingSqualane
EmollientVp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPropanediol
SolventAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Phytate
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningWater, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Phenoxyethyl Caprylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate, Squalane, Vp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Caprylate, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-4
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 TriazineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 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 GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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