What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-15
UV FilterDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventPolyether-1
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Carbomer, Parfum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Methylpropanediol, Polyether-1, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Fructan, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Silica
AbrasiveCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Almond Glycerides
EmulsifyingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Zinc Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Disiloxane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Propanediol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Chloride, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Sarcosine, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Oleanolic Acid, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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