What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dicaprylyl Ether
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHexyl Laurate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCera Alba
EmollientParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Tocopherol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantDarutoside
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dicaprylyl Ether, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hexyl Laurate, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Sodium Chloride, Cera Alba, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Darutoside, Hexapeptide-3, Citric Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, CI 77289, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDipropylene Glycol
HumectantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningTalc
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantMethicone
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyester-1
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dipropylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, CI 77891, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Talc, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Trihydroxystearin, Mica, Methicone, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyester-1, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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