What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Arginine
Masking
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyester-5
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Canola Oil
Emollient
Amylopectin
Citric Acid
Buffering
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
DNA
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Polyester-5, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Pentylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lauroyl Lysine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Ectoin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Propylene Glycol, Canola Oil, Amylopectin, Citric Acid, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Carbomer, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, DNA
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tapioca Starch
Betaine
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tapioca Starch, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Maltodextrin, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, O-Cymen-5-Ol, 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.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
