Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Versus Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Face

Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.

This BHA stands for butylated hydroxyanisole. If you are looking for the beta-hydroxy acid, aka as Salicylic Acid, click here.

Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate is an antioxidant.

Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract comes from the Boerhavia Diffusa tree, or more commonly known as punarnava, red spiderling, spreading hogweed, or tarvine.

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carthamus tinctorius seed oil comes from safflower, one of humanity's oldest crops.

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil comes from the bitter orange, an orange native to Southeast Asia.

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract comes from the peels of the bitter orange. This orange is native to Southeast Asia. It is commonly used in foods such as marmalade.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

Coconut Alkanes is created from the fatty-acids of coconut oil. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates from the skin.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.

This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.

We don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin.

Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.

Isononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.

Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) is a form of Vitamin C and is an antioxidant. It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.

Melatonin is an antioxidant.

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid is an antioxidant.

Oenothera Biennis Oil is the fixed oil derived from the seeds of the Evening Primrose.

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil is the fixed oil obtained from the ripe fruit of the Olive. In other words - olive oil.

Oleanolic acid is a type of triterpene.

Oryza Sativa Extract comes from the rice grain, Oryza sativa. Rice extract has wound healing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 isn't fungal acne safe and is a peptide.

This ingredient is derived from almond oil. It is an emulsifier with emollient properties.

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.

Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.

Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Saccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.

Sodium 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.

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.

We don't have a description for Sphingolipids.

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a version of ascorbic acid, or pure Vitamin C.

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Water. 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.

Xanthan 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.

Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.