What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Dimethicone
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Octocrylene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Alcohol Denat., Titanium Dioxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Nylon-12, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Bisabolol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Plankton Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV AbsorberAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventVp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer
Thermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Undecane, Tridecane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Vp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Parfum, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Disodium EDTA, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-7, Citronellol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium 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 EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 ParfumTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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