This hydrating serum is formulated around Squalane and Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventIsohexadecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientOlive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventTin Oxide
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Isoamyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Butylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Isohexadecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Pentaoleate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Tin Oxide, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 6%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Caprylyl Methicone, Propanediol, Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Silica, Bioflavonoids, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Reviews
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 GlycolHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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