What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasivePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Dimethicone
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Abyssinica Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Zinc Oxide, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Octocrylene, Niacinamide, Silica, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Beeswax, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Commiphora Abyssinica Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Parfum, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCetearyl Olivate
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMallotus Japonicus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingGlucose
HumectantCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingChamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Homosalate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Octocrylene, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Oryza Sativa Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Tromethamine, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Mallotus Japonicus Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Glucose, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
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.
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 preservatives
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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 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