What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 10%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientCyclomethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Triethanolamine
BufferingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Diisopropyl Adipate, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Beeswax, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Trehalose, Dimethiconol, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, C12-14 Pareth-12, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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 Water