What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Decyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Isohexadecane
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Nylon-12
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Homosalate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Isohexadecane, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, P-Anisic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Lecithin, Nylon-12, PEG-8 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine
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 synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinTocopherol 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 TocopherolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about Triethanolamine
