This hydrating essence is formulated around Squalane and Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantIsohexadecane
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
AbrasivePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isohexadecane, Allantoin, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Lactic Acid
Titanium Dioxide 3.7%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 14%
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
SolventArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStearyl Citrate
EmollientTrioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Mono/Dioleate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
EmollientPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Phenylpropanol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide 3.7%, Zinc Oxide 14%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearyl Citrate, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Mono/Dioleate, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Bisabolol, Sodium Phytate, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl 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.
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 may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCaprylyl 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 GlycolHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
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 PropanediolWater. 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