What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPearl Extract
AntioxidantSea Water
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Codium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolypropylsilsesquioxane
Ceteth-10
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentPullulan
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Octocrylene, Propanediol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Disiloxane, Niacinamide, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Pearl Extract, Sea Water, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Phospholipids, Phytosphingosine, Phytosterols, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Ceteth-10, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Pullulan, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHoney Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingEthylparaben
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Silica, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alcohol Denat., Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, DMDM Hydantoin, Methylparaben, Citric Acid, Ethylparaben
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePropanediol 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 SilicaWater. 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