What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberTriethanolamine
BufferingZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Carbonate
SolventPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentArtemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Titanium Dioxide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Niacinamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Triethanolamine, Zinc Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Sulfate, CI 77492, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77499, CI 77491, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ceresin, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Adenosine, Propylene Carbonate, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingHexyl Laurate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disiloxane
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Giganteum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingKigelia Africana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSaccharomyces/Panax Ginseng Flower Ferment Extract
AntioxidantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Alumina
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, CI 77891, Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Niacinamide, Hexyl Laurate, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disiloxane, CI 77492, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Methyl Trimethicone, Equisetum Giganteum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Saccharomyces/Panax Ginseng Flower Ferment Extract, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Citronellol, CI 77499, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinMagnesium Sulfate is a salt. More specifically, it is an epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
Despite having āsulfateā in the name, it isnāt a surfactant or cleansing agent like sodium lauryl sulfate. Unlike those sulfates, magnesium sulfate doesnāt have the same cleansing or foaming properties (it's simply a type of salt).
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
You can find this ingredient in sea water or mineral deposits.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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