What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Allantoin, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, C14-22 Alcohols
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCetearyl Olivate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBHT
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Cetearyl Olivate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propylene Glycol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Polysorbate 60, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, BHT, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBHT 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
