What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-34
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingErgothioneine
AntioxidantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Mycelium Ferment Extract
HumectantLecithin
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polysilicone-34, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Ergothioneine, Isononyl Isononanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Bisabolol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Allantoin, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Mycelium Ferment Extract, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingNylon-12
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-20
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlucose
HumectantPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveBHT
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propanediol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, C14-22 Alcohols, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycereth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Glucose, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, BHT, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 MethoxycinnamateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene 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 GlycolWater. 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