What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Erythrulose
TanningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Linalool
Perfuming
Methoxyphenyl T-Butylphenyl Propanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Erythrulose, CI 77891, Tocopheryl Acetate, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Mica, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Parfum, Benzophenone-4, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Linalool, Methoxyphenyl T-Butylphenyl Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol, CI 16035, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Erythrulose
TanningC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Isobutyl Acetate
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dihydroxyacetone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Erythrulose, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Laureth-7, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Isobutyl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneWe don't have a description for Erythrulose yet.
Glyceryl 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 StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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
