What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octocrylene 8%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Eucalyptol
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientBisabolol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycogen
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Propanediol
Solvent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Octocrylene 8%, Homosalate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3%, Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 80, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Eucalyptol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycogen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Gluconolactone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Farnesol, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Isoeugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Ceteareth-6 Olivate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingJuniperus Virginiana Wood Oil
Perfuming
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Boswellia Carterii Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Acacia Decurrens Flower Extract
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ceteareth-6 Olivate, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Coco-Glucoside, Carnosine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Phosphate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Ectoin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Benzoic Acid, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Disodium EDTA, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Superoxide Dismutase, Tromethamine, Juniperus Virginiana Wood Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral
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 GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateThis ingredient is also known as Ylang Ylang essential oil.
There are several grades of this oil according to when the flowers are obtained so the exact makeup varies by origin, grade, and extraction.
In cosmetics, its job is mostly sensory: it has a sweet, floral scent often used in perfume.
Chemically, it's complex mix of fragrant molecules: geraniol, limonene, linalool and benzyl benzoate.
Several of these components are on the EU's list of recognized fragrance allergens; this means they have to be labeled when present above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
This ingredient is a known contact sensitizer for a small amount of people so it's definitely worth patch-testing if your skin is reactive.
Lab studies have found the oils does have real antioxidant and antibacterial activity, but keep in mind these are in-vitro findings rather than proven skincare benefits.
Learn more about Cananga Odorata Flower OilEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 Water
