What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientArbutin
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingGlutathione
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPectin
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Citric Acid, Glutathione, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Polysorbate 20, Glycine Soja Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Parfum, Carbomer, Pectin, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Sulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPachyrhizus Erosus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantOctyldodecanol
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSodium Phytate
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Zinc Oxide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Pachyrhizus Erosus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, CI 77007, Allantoin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octyldodecanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, BHT, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Chloride, Panthenol, Calcium Gluconate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Yeast Extract, Cyanocobalamin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water