What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glyceryl Behenate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Benzophenone-3, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Phospholipids, Sodium Gluconate, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Olivate
Benzophenone-3
UV AbsorberTrehalose
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterAcrylates/Hema Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Olivate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingC13-15 Alkane
SolventPullulan
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Benzophenone-3, Trehalose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitylglucoside, Octocrylene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Acrylates/Hema Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, C13-15 Alkane, Pullulan, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Gluconate, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You probably know this ingredient as Oxybenzone, a sunscreen ingredient. It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient, meaning it can protect the skin against UVB and short UVA rays. The absorption range is 270-350 nm with peak absorption at 288 and 350 nm.
This chemical ingredient protects your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV absorbers may absorb both UVA and UVB rays. It is often combined with other sunscreen ingredients to help with stability.
Ongoing research is looking into whether oxybenzone causes skin irritation and sensitivity. However, it has been shown to trigger contact dermatitis in some studies.
Oxybenzone is allowed in certain concentrations by many countries. It is allowed up to 6% in the US, and Canada, 5% in Japan, and 10% in Australia. Other countries and regions of the US have banned this ingredient to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems. These places include Hawaii, Key West, US Virgin Islands, marine parks in Thailand, Aruba, and Palau.
The EU currently allows the following maximum concentrations:
Studies show conflicting results about oxybenzone being absorbed into the human body. The Swedish Research Institute has advised careful use of this ingredient by pregnant women and children. We always recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns about this ingredient and your health.
Learn more about Benzophenone-3Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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