What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Nylon-12
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentArginine
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-75 Stearate
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Acetyl Glucosamine, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Nylon-12, Triacontanyl Pvp, Retinol, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Punica Granatum Extract, Arginine, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Xanthan Gum, PEG-75 Stearate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Polysorbate 20, Triethyl Citrate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Carbomer, Ethylene Brassylate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 19140, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAlgae Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Malachite
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tourmaline
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Malachite, Caffeine, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Citric Acid, Tourmaline, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, PEG-8 Laurate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Mica, CI 61570, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCaprylyl 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 GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
