What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C15-19 Alkane
SolventZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, C15-19 Alkane, Zinc Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Isohexadecane
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Squalane
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, C14-22 Alcohols, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isohexadecane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Triethanolamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Hydrated Silica, Polysorbate 80, Menthol, Parfum, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Squalane, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Butylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Propanediol, Zea Mays Starch, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Salicylate, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic 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.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAlso 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl 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
