What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methylpropanediol
SolventStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mica, Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Trisodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, BHT, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates Copolymer
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
PEG-8
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyester-8, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Acrylates Copolymer, Dextrin Palmitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Lauroyl Lysine, Saccharomyces Ferment, Lactis Proteinum, Algae Extract, Plankton Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, PEG-8, Carbomer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
BHT 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 BHTAlso 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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ethylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
