What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysilicone-11
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylcellulose
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Isododecane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dimethicone, Isostearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Hydroxide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylcellulose, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ectoin, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Silica
Abrasive
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Steareth-21
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Farnesol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Steareth-21, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Farnesol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
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 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 GlucosideDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinMethylene 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 TetramethylbutylphenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene 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 SilicaSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
