What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5%
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract
Antioxidant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.5%, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tranexamic Acid, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingThiotaurine
Antioxidant
Potentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Beheneth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
CI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Zinc Oxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Chloride, Thiotaurine, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Triazone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Beheneth-20, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, CI 77120
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol
