What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHexyl Laurate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
Emollient2,3-Butanediol
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolysilicone-15
UV FilterCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLauryl Lactate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTetracarboxymethyl Hexanoyl Dipeptide-12
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, Hexyl Laurate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, 2,3-Butanediol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Panthenol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Lactate, Octyldodecanol, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetracarboxymethyl Hexanoyl Dipeptide-12, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tocopherol, Squalane, Ascorbic Acid, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberBeheneth-25
CleansingPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyester-7
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Diisopropyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Beheneth-25, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyester-7, Coco-Glucoside, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Arginine, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Glycine Soja Oil, Lecithin, Lepidium Sativum Sprout 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.
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
You 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 2026.
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 TriazineCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDiethylamino 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 BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePentylene 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 GlycolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol 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