What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, Linalool, Limonene, BHT, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, BHT, T-Butyl Alcohol, 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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, also known as Tinogard TL, is a broad-spectrum UV absorber.
It helps stabilize light-sensitive ingredients and protects other ingredients from breaking down due to light exposure (especially in transparent packaging).
This ingredient helps extend a product’s shelf life by preventing both photolytic (light-induced) and photo-oxidative degradation. It’s typically used at low concentrations, around 0.01% to 0.1%.
Despite being a chemical UV filter, this ingredient can be found in "100% mineral sunscreens". This is due to regulatory loopholes.
Learn more about Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-CresolBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
We don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether yet.
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilPentylene 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.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Propanediol 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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWe don't have a description for Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer yet.
T-Butyl Alcohol it is most commonly used as a solvent.
At room temperature, T-Butyl Alcohol melts and has a similar smell to camphor.
This ingredient is derived from isobutane. It is the simplest form of a tertiary alcohol. Due to its chemical structure, it is more resistant to oxidation.
Some sources online claim T-Butyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. However, it is not considered one due to its chemical structure.
Learn more about T-Butyl AlcoholTocopherol (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.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
