What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Urea
Buffering
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Sodium Lactate
BufferingButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Trisodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Urea, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Sodium Lactate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Arginine Hcl, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, BHT, Trisodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Water, Urea, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Levulinic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Levulinate, Squalane, Sorbitol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Carbomer, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Caprylyl Glycol, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaWater. 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
