What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolysilicone-15
UV Filter1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Homosalate, Niacinamide, Polysilicone-15, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylyl Methicone, Propanediol, Allantoin, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mannitol, Polyacrylate-13, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Limonene, Linalool, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Citronellol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantAlpinia Galanga Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSchizosaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPolyether-1
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylpropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Collagen Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Nonapeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Pentapeptide-3, Hexapeptide-9, Glyceryl Glucoside, Alpinia Galanga Extract, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Squalane, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Trisiloxane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Schizosaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Polyether-1, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Fructooligosaccharides, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Fructan, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Inulin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, CI 77492, CI 77491
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeDibutyl 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 AdipateDrometrizole Trisiloxane is a UV filter that provides both UV-A (344 nm) and UV-B (303 nm) protection.
This ingredient is photostable and studies show it to be generally safe and effective. The compound Meroxyl XL is owned by L'Oreal while Drometrizole trisiloxane can be found in other sunscreen brands.
It is currently approved for use in the EU, Canada, Australia, and Japan. However, it is not yet approved for use in the US.
This ingredient is often used with other sunscreen ingredients, such as Ecamsule.
Learn more about Drometrizole TrisiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePolyacrylate 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.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer and used to help stabilize other ingredients.
Emulsion stabilizers hold ingredients together, helping to create an even texture throughout the product.
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate can also be used to thicken the texture.
Learn more about Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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