What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveTapioca Starch
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Tapioca Starch, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine Hcl, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberPerlite
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberWater, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Perlite, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Mineral Salts, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Squalane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 TriazoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
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 HyaluronateWater. 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