What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Citrate
BufferingVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Allantoin, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polysorbate 60, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Citric Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Citrate, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylparaben
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTriethanolamine
BufferingAlumina
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Alpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantSaururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantFructose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide As
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cera Alba, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Titanium Dioxide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-20 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Allantoin, CI 77492, Triethanolamine, Alumina, CI 77491, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alpha-Arbutin, Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Fructose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide As, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ceramide EOP, Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin 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 AllantoinAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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