What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
PEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Silica, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSucrose
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polybutene
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polysilicone-11
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sucrose, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Algae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Linoleic Acid, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Dimethicone, Polybutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, PEG-8, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polysilicone-11, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate
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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaSodium 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 HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
