What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Epilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polyether-1
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentMentha Arvensis Powder
MaskingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Acrylate/Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Trisiloxane, Stearic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Alumina, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, T-Butyl Alcohol, Polyether-1, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Mentha Arvensis Powder, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Acrylate/Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleanolic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientIsotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Water, Zinc Oxide, Propylheptyl Caprylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Disiloxane, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Parfum
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
