What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Isododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingOleth-10
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Zeolite
AbsorbentAlgae Extract
EmollientLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tridecyl Stearate
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, PEG-100 Stearate, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyethylene, Phenoxyethanol, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Oleth-10, Chlorphenesin, Stearyl Alcohol, Zeolite, Algae Extract, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Potassium Sorbate, Pvp, Hexylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tridecyl Stearate, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, CI 19140, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, CI 15985, Sodium Benzoate, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTapioca Starch
Glycerin
Humectant
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Dimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
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 CarbomerCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
