What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Isododecane
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSucrose Dilaurate
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSclareolide
Masking
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantC18-36 Acid Glycol Ester
EmollientC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Isododecane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Niacinamide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate, Maltodextrin, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sucrose Dilaurate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, CI 77492, Sclareolide, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Laurate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Pisum Sativum Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, CI 77499, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine 8%
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract 1%
Antimicrobial
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane 0.25%
Antioxidant
4-Butylresorcinol 0.3%
Antioxidant
Ceteth-20
CleansingPEG-75 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Steareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Acetyl Glucosamine 8%, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract 1%, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane 0.25%, 4-Butylresorcinol 0.3%, Ceteth-20, PEG-75 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Steareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Hydroxide, Sodium Bisulfite, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateTocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
