What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingErythrulose
TanningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingMethyl Ionones
MaskingWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Erythrulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Maltodextrin, Alcohol, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Methyl Ionones
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Dihydroxyacetone, Ethoxydiglycol, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Parfum, 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.
Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil is the fixed oil obtained from Macadamia nut native to Australia. Due to its similarity with our skin's natural oils, macadamia oil absorbs easily without feeling greasy.
Macadamia seed oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic acid (45-75%), palmitoleic acid (7-33%), and palmitic acid (6-12%). They also contain various B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
Palmitoleic acid helps calm inflammation and supports wound healing while oleic acid helps hydrate the skin.
Due to the high amounts of palmitic and oleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. These are fatty acids that Malassezia yeast can feed on (C11-C24 chain length). If you're prone to fungal acne, this one's probably not for you.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil. This is the same ingredient; M. ternifolia is an older INCI naming convention for the edible macadamia nut, while M. integrifolia is the species actually cultivated for oil production. Both names refer to the same oil.
Learn more about Macadamia Integrifolia Seed OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Jojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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