What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 10%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Distearate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantBisabolol
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningHeptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-2 Distearate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Bisabolol, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Glycerin
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingNylon-12
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthyl Linoleate
EmollientLauric Acid
CleansingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingLactobacillus Extract Filtrate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Saccharide Isomerate, Polyacrylamide, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cocoglycerides, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethyl Linoleate, Lauric Acid, Laureth-7, Sarcosine, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lactobacillus Extract Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (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 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 LimonenePotassium 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 SorbateSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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