What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningStearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
CleansingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Propylene Carbonate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingAlgin
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Leaf Extract
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, CI 77891, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Silica, CI 77492, Stearic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Parfum, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77499, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Dimethiconol, Dipropylene Glycol, Trihydroxystearin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Algin, Sodium Benzoate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Jania Rubens Extract, Cichorium Intybus Leaf Extract, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal, Glucomannan
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMethylpropanediol
SolventDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCapparis Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Titanium Dioxide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Methylpropanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Capparis Spinosa Fruit Extract, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 77007, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCaprylyl 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 GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the âgoodâ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThis ingredient is a solvent. It helps dissolve active ingredients and alter the texture of products.
Propylene Carbonate is commonly used in makeup and with clay, such as montmorillonite or bentonite.
Studies show this ingredient to be safe for cosmetics. When it is undiluted, it can cause skin irritation. (It is always diluted in skincare and makeup). This ingredient is water-soluble.
Propylene Carbonate is created from propylene glycol and carbonic acid.
Learn more about Propylene CarbonateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as âmineralâ by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnât as strong as zinc oxideâs, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopheryl 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