What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolyacrylamide
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningEisenia Arborea Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyra Yezoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingSucrose
HumectantUrea
BufferingGlycine
BufferingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
AbrasiveAlanine
MaskingMagnesium Chloride
Threonine
Histidine
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Glutamic Acid
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingArginine
Masking1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningAsparagine
MaskingCitrulline
Skin ConditioningUric Acid
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingTryptophan
MaskingFormic Acid
PreservativeAmmonia
BufferingCysteine
AntioxidantGlutamine
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyacrylamide, Chlorphenesin, Niacinamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Betaine, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Eisenia Arborea Extract, Porphyra Yezoensis Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract, Magnesium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Serine, Sucrose, Urea, Glycine, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Ornithine, Sea Salt, Alanine, Magnesium Chloride, Threonine, Histidine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Proline, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Isoleucine, Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Phenylalanine, Arginine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Asparagine, Citrulline, Uric Acid, Methionine, Taurine, Tryptophan, Formic Acid, Ammonia, Cysteine, Glutamine
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientMonascus/Rice Ferment
AntioxidantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Aspergillus Ferment, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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 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 ExtractEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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 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