What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientGlycogen
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Arginine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycogen, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Mentha Piperita Leaf Water
Water
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHoney Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBisabolol
MaskingLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethylene Glycol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Silica, Glycerin, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Apium Graveolens Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Honey Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin 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.
Water. 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 Water