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
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCeteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Triethanolamine
BufferingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterStearic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsododecane
EmollientParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyester-7
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCyclohexanediol Bis-Ethylhexanoate
BleachingPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantIsomalt
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningMelanin
Skin ProtectingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientVitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Silica, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Titanium Dioxide, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethanolamine, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Isododecane, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Polyester-7, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclohexanediol Bis-Ethylhexanoate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Isomalt, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phospholipids, Pearl Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Melanin, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citronellol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Geraniol
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSilica, 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 SilicaStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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