What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentStearic Acid
CleansingPanax Ginseng Root Water
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingPropanediol
SolventT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dibutyl Adipate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Stearic Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Propanediol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolysilicone-15
UV FilterAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyether-1
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Water, Honey Extract, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyether-1, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 2025.
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 TriazineButylene 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 GlycolDibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino 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 BenzoateDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateSilica, 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 SilicaEcamsule is a UV-A absorber (290–400 nm) patented by L'Oreal. It is derived from benzylidene camphor, making it highly photostable.
Ecamsule is able to prevent UV from reaching the skin. It absorbs UV and releases it as thermal energy.
It does this by:
The pH of ecamsule needs to be neutralized due to it being an acid. Triethanolamine is a pH adjusting ingredient often used with ecamsule.
This sunscreen ingredient is approved for use in the EU, Canada, and Asia. In the US, you will only find this ingredient in select L'Oreal products.
Learn more about Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic AcidTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water