What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOrange Roughy Oil
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Extract
AstringentAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSilver
Cosmetic ColorantPlatinum
AntimicrobialCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Orange Roughy Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Alpha-Arbutin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Alba Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Silver, Platinum, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Bicarbonate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveCannabis Sativa Seed Extract
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Leaf/Stem Extract
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAbies Alba Seed Extract
AntimicrobialPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf/Stem Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Abies Alba Seed Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Stearyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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