What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
Absorbent
Cera Alba
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cistus Monspeliensis Extract
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Zea Mays Starch, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Stearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Mica, Bentonite, Cera Alba, Propanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, CI 77891, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Maltodextrin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Cistus Monspeliensis Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Physalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Homosalate, Propylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, CI 77891, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer, Coco-Caprylate, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Silica, Physalis Angulata Extract, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Decyl Glucoside, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Cellulose Gum, PEG-8, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
You 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 TriazineCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinTocopherol 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
