What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Silica
Abrasive
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
Masking
Alumina
Abrasive
Sodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Triethylhexanoin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Saccharide Isomerate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Decyl Glucoside, Titanium Dioxide, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Propylene Glycol, BHT, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, Alumina, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Succinic Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glucose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Salicylic Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Succinic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diglycerin, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Triethanolamine, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyglutamate, Allantoin, Sorbitan Oleate, Squalane, Zinc Oxide, Adenosine, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
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
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 GlycolThis 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 MethoxycinnamatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
