What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Enterococcus Faecalis
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Isohexadecane
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Squalane, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Enterococcus Faecalis, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide Ng, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Isohexadecane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Tocopherol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Polyurethane-15
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Water, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Polyurethane-15, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, BHT, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
