What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
CI 77891
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyisobutene
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pollen Extract
EmollientSalvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Homosalate, Octocrylene, CI 77891, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Caprylyl Methicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica, Aluminum Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Alumina, Glyceryl Caprylate, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Adenosine, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Unsaponifiables, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pollen Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, T-Butyl Alcohol, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Linoleic Acid, Glycine Soja Sterols, Phospholipids, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
Solvent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Methicone, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Caprylate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
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
Caprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylatePropanediol 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
