What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberUndecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterTridecane
PerfumingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Glycerin, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Undecane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Tridecane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Propylene Glycol
Homosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHoney Extract
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentOrnithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentSodium Lactate
BufferingTriethanolamine
BufferingUrea
BufferingParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHomosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Honey Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine Hcl, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lysine Hcl, Maltodextrin, Ornithine Hcl, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Lactate, Triethanolamine, Urea, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenoneWater. 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