What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventArginine
Masking
Polystyrene
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Methylparaben
Preservative
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Disodium EDTA, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Arginine, Polystyrene, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Methylparaben, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol
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 GlycolDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
