What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventTromethamine
BufferingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantTrisodium EDTA
Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingSorbitol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium PCA
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingArginine
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Panthenol, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Dimethicone, Phospholipids, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Trisodium EDTA, Hyaluronic Acid, Trehalose, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Sodium PCA, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Arginine, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Parfum, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Multiflora Extract
AntioxidantChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Homosalate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate, Titanium Dioxide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Parfum, Menthyl Lactate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosa Multiflora Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Tocopherol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Oleanolic Acid
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl 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 GlycerinThis ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water