What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolysilicone-15
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Stearyl Dimethicone
EmollientCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Alumina
AbrasiveInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPolyether-1
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantMethoxyphenylethenyl T-Butylbenzoate
UV AbsorberBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMadecassoside
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, CI 77891, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Stearyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Methylpropanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sucrose Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Alumina, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, CI 77492, Xanthan Gum, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Adenosine, Squalane, Polyether-1, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Methoxyphenylethenyl T-Butylbenzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ascorbic Acid, Madecassoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 0.1%
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientThymol Trimethoxycinnamate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Stearic Acid
CleansingC12-15 Alcohols
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCitral
PerfumingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingMyristic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingWater, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dibutyl Adipate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Limonene, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Aluminum Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 0.1%, Glyceryl Caprylate, Thymol Trimethoxycinnamate, Glyceryl Stearate, Alumina, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, C12-15 Alcohols, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Linalool, Ceramide NP, Citral, T-Butyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid
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 Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAlumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaButylene 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 BenzoateGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut. It has emollient and emulsifier properties.
As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.
On the other hand, emulsifiers prevent ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating.
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylatePolyacrylate 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-6Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidStearic 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 DioxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum