What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Acrylates/Dimethicone Methacrylate/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Stearoyl Inulin
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isododecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Acrylates/Dimethicone Methacrylate/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Stearoyl Inulin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
PPG-9 Diglyceryl Ether
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate
EmulsifyingSoymilk Isoflavones
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPentasodium Pentetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Isododecane, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PPG-9 Diglyceryl Ether, Polysorbate 60, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Soymilk Isoflavones, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Cyclodextrin, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentasodium Pentetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolIsododecane is a fragrance, emollient, and solvent.
As an emollient, it helps your skin stay soft and hydrated. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin.
Isododecane's role as a solvent makes it a great texture enhancer. It spreads smoothly on skin and does not leave a sticky feeling behind. Isododecane also helps prevent color transfer in makeup products.
Isododecane is not absorbed into skin.
The chemical name for this ingredient is 2,2,4,6,6-PENTAMETHYLHEPTANE.
Learn more about IsododecanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
