What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolysilicone-15
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSucrose Stearate
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasiveInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucose
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Behenyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sucrose Stearate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Alumina, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Squalane, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Tocopherol, Glucose, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Fructan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasivePhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingMannitol
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantDiatomaceous Earth
AbrasiveCeteareth-25
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialBehenic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Caprylyl Methicone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arachidyl Glucoside, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Citric Acid, Mannitol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Diatomaceous Earth, Ceteareth-25, Glycerin, Zinc Sulfate, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 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