What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylpropanediol
SolventBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Arginine
Masking
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPalmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenylpropanol
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Picea Abies Wood Extract
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylpropanediol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Arginine, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Phenylpropanol, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Sodium Benzoate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tocopheryl Acetate, Picea Abies Wood Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Benzophenone-3 6%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate
EmollientMannitol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Platanus Occidentalis Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Homosalate 10%, Benzophenone-3 6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2.7%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate, Mannitol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Tocopherol, Cyclodextrin, Pisum Sativum Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Yeast Extract, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Platanus Occidentalis Bark Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPotassium 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 PhosphateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol 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
