What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Silica
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeUbiquinone
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPanicum Miliaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingTannic Acid
AstringentColeus Forskohlii Root Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Myristyl Myristate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Carbomer, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Linalool, Panicum Miliaceum Extract, Limonene, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Eugenol, Tannic Acid, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberMethylpropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingUbiquinone
AntioxidantCreatine
Skin Conditioning1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientTrisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methylpropanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Synthetic Beeswax, Ubiquinone, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Trisodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideUbiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is a molecule already found in our bodies. It is a potent antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredient.
Aging and environmental exposure diminishes our skin's natural ubiquinone levels. This is much like our natural collagen and elastin.
The good news is: studies show applying this ingredient topically replenishes ubiquinone levels in our skin. This also comes with a ton of skin benefits. These benefits include:
Ubiquinone is considered a large molecule and cannot be absorbed into the lower layers of skin. This is why it is believed to be such an effective antioxidant: it protects our skin in the upper layers and prevents damage in the deeper layers.
When used in sunscreen, ubiquinone is shown to increase ingredient stability, increase SPF factor, and add to infrared protection.
Fun fact: ubiquinone is fat-soluble.
Learn more about UbiquinoneWater. 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. 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