What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 9%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Pulp Extract
EmollientBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Water, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Zea Mays Starch, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Extract, Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Gluconolactone, Sorbitan Oleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 17200
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPhenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Melilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentHaslea Ostrearia Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Glycereth-26, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lecithin, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Haslea Ostrearia Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycerin, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Buddleja Davidii Leaf Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Reviews
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 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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
