What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Paraffin
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Emollient
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
CI 77947
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Octocrylene, Paraffin, CI 77891, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ceresin, Microcrystalline Wax, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77492, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, Octyldodecanol, Isododecane, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, CI 77947, CI 77499
Homosalate 9.5%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Homosalate 9.5%, Octocrylene 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Diisostearyl Malate, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dextrin Palmitate, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1
Reviews
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 GlycolThis is a lightweight diester (caprylic/capric acid + butylene glycol) with emollient and skin conditioning properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient can help add a "cushiony" oil phase without making it heavy.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCaprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
