What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
C15-19 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C15-19 Alkane, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Citric Acid, Linalool, Polyglycerin-3, Limonene
Zinc Oxide 14.14%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cholecalciferol
Zinc Oxide 14.14%, Water, Propanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Bisabolol, Zea Mays Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethyl Hexanediol, Polysorbate 80, Cholecalciferol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 GlycerinPentylene 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
