What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Triceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
PEG-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
CleansingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPEG-240
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialMadecassoside
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ProtectingCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Glycol Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-2 Stearate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Adenosine, PEG-240, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Isohexadecane, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Potassium Laurate, BHT, Bakuchiol, Madecassoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTalc
AbrasiveZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Stearic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingBetaine
HumectantPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment
Skin ProtectingLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Squalane, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Betaine, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Maltodextrin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus, Caffeine
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
Aluminum 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 HydroxideBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” 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 isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, 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