What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientArginine
MaskingUndecane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTridecane
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin ConditioningVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Parfum
MaskingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLecithin
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Arginine, Undecane, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Tridecane, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrated Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Parfum, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Lecithin, Plankton Extract, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Pentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPhenoxyethyl Caprylate
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPropanediol
SolventPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Carbonate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Phenoxyethyl Caprylate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Decyl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Arginine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Carbonate, Citric Acid, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDibutyl 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 AdipateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 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