What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientUndecane
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTridecane
PerfumingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantPhytic Acid
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningWater, Octocrylene, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Undecane, Triheptanoin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tridecane, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Palmitate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Oleate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Collagen Amino Acids, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Fructooligosaccharides, Phytic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bioflavonoids, Glycoproteins
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventC9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHectorite
AbsorbentLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Dimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOryza Sativa Hull Extract
MoisturisingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningWater, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Triheptanoin, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Squalane, Hectorite, Lauroyl Lysine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Oryza Sativa Hull Extract, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglutamic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC9-12 Alkane is synethically created using alkanes, or paraffins. It is added to products as a solvent. This means its main purpose is to help dissolve ingredients and create even texture.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateWe don't have a description for Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer yet.
Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneSodium 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.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
We don't have a description for Triheptanoin yet.
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.
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