What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNylon-12
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGluconic Acid
Propylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Homosalate, Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Ethylhexanoate, Nylon-12, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Caffeine, Biotin, Oleanolic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, Niacinamide, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Gluconic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Citral
Zinc Oxide 15.5%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrullus Lanatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Pulp Extract
EmollientBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolysilicone-11
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 15.5%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Extract, Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Gluconolactone, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysilicone-11, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 15985, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes isn't fungal acne safe.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.
Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate SeThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePotassium 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