What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterDecyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Behenyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, C13-15 Alkane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Alpha-Arbutin, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Cetyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Zea Mays Starch, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantNopalea Cochenillifera Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Kojic Acid
AntioxidantVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
SmoothingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningShea Butter Glycerides
EmulsifyingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
MaskingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantOxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Xylitol, Glucose, Anhydroxylitol, Nopalea Cochenillifera Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Kojic Acid, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Shea Butter Glycerides, Sodium Levulinate, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Allantoin, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc Oxide, Oxothiazolidine, Tocopheryl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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