What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Arginine
Masking
Cellulose
Absorbent
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingOleic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantPantolactone
Humectant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Arginine, Cellulose, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Linoleic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Oleic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid, Caramel, Pantolactone, Linolenic Acid, Maltodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Octocrylene, Dicaprylyl Ether, Homosalate, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phragmites Communis Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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.
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an amino-acid based emulsifier. It is made by combining stearic acid with L-glutamic acid and neutralizing it to a sodium salt.
As an emulsifier, it works mainly as an oil-in-water one and helps keep the oil and water in your formulas blended. It also contributes to a smooth, non-greasy skin feel.
This ingredient is biodegradable and commonly available in natural/COSMOS-certified grades.
Learn more about Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateTocopherol 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
