What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveDibutyl Adipate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVinyldimethicone
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-15
UV FilterSilica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentSynthetic Wax, Dibutyl Adipate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vinyldimethicone, Ozokerite, Polysilicone-15, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Bisabolol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Calamine
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterIsododecane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-15
UV FilterCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Synthetic Wax, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Isododecane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polysilicone-15, Ceresin, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Adenosine, Aspergillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Betaine, Ectoin, Panthenol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Β
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesΒ
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 GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeDibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino 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 BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateThis ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
This ingredient is a water-in-oil emulsifier and is sometimes known by its trade name, Isolan GPS. It helps create stable emulsions by bridging oil and water phases without adding a greasy feel.
Common usage levels sit between 2-5% for this ingredient.
Polysilicone-15 is a chemical UV filter that absorbs UV-B rays.
It is a photostable ingredient used to boost SPF factor and protect products from UV-induced deterioration.
This ingredient is not water-soluble.
Learn more about Polysilicone-15Synthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
It has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopherol 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 TocopherolThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
Itβs a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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