What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol Cocoate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOctocrylene
UV AbsorberSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantAlumina
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOleth-10
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingAroma
Glycerin
HumectantLecithin
EmollientEthylcellulose
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seedcoat Powder
AbrasivePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Isostearyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Octocrylene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Alumina, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oleth-10, Polysorbate 60, Stearic Acid, Aroma, Glycerin, Lecithin, Ethylcellulose, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seedcoat Powder, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Benzoic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCetyl Alcohol
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBetaine
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Titanium Dioxide, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Zinc Oxide, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Beeswax, Ethylhexyl Triazone, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, CI 19140, CI 15985, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. Itâs full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when itâs sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.Â
It doesnât protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Letâs get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
Itâs also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skinâs own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
Youâll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractButylene 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 GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Disodium 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 EDTAEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as âmineralâ by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnât as strong as zinc oxideâs, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTriethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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