What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPolypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterChlamydomonas Reinhardtii Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientPhenylpropanol
MaskingPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriisopropanolamine
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arginine, Phenethyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Propylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Phenylpropanol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Cetyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triisopropanolamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Phenethyl Benzoate
EmollientPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialCaffeic Acid
AntioxidantPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMelanin
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantPlankton Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Phenylpropanol
MaskingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Propanediol
SolventTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenyl Triacetate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantArginine
MaskingEthyl Linoleate
EmollientOleyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Alumina, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Phenethyl Benzoate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Ferulic Acid, Caffeic Acid, Physalis Angulata Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Melanin, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Plankton Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Isohexadecane, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Phenylpropanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenyl Triacetate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Arginine, Ethyl Linoleate, Oleyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Oxothiazolidine, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene 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 GlycolPhenethyl Benzoate is a fragrance.
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.
Phenylpropanol is a fragrance.
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract can help to reduce redness.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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