What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSqualane
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningOpunta Dillenii Extract
Xylitol
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Glycerin, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Squalane, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Opunta Dillenii Extract, Xylitol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Betaine, Magnesium Sulfate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Phosphatidylcholine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77163, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantTalc
AbrasiveIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBehenyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlumina
AbrasiveSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeHydrogen Dimethicone
Simethicone
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantTropolone
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Talc, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Behenyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Alumina, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Simethicone, Disodium EDTA, Aluminum Hydroxide, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Tropolone, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glucose, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideThis ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside