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
MaskingDisodium 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
Styrene/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 a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
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 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 EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
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 AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water