What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Broussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Rhus Semialata Extract
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Glycine
Buffering
Fructose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Inositol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Titanium Dioxide, Niacinamide, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Acetyl Glucosamine, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Broussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Rhus Semialata Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycine, Fructose, Urea, Inositol, Lactic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV Absorber
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingMethylparaben
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Sorbitan Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, BHT, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Propylparaben, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateGlyceryl 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 StearatePropylene 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 GlycolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
