What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 6%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialRose Ketone-4
Perfuming
Phenylacetaldehyde
Perfuming
Nonadienal
Perfuming
Triacetin
AntimicrobialLauraldehyde
MaskingHexanal
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate
Perfuming
Dimethylheptenal
Perfuming
3-Hexenol
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Methylbenzyl Acetate
Masking
Eucalyptol
Perfuming
Gamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl Acetate
Masking
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Acetate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Elaeis Guineensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%, Homosalate 6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Alcohol Denat., C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Rose Ketone-4, Phenylacetaldehyde, Nonadienal, Triacetin, Lauraldehyde, Hexanal, Geranyl Acetate, Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate, Dimethylheptenal, 3-Hexenol, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Methylbenzyl Acetate, Eucalyptol, Gamma-Undecalactone, Citronellol, Benzyl Acetate, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Acetate, Linalool, Triethyl Citrate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Water, Algae Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Xylitol
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Zea Mays Oil, Squalane, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
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 this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
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.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about Panthenol
