What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentIsostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Alumina
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Aroma
Glycerin
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Ethylcellulose
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seedcoat Powder
Abrasive
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 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 Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Leather Coral Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-13
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Arginine, Leather Coral Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polysilicone-13, PEG-40 Stearate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideDisodium 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 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 MethoxycinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
