What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Octyldodecanol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
