What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcetic Acid
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Acetic Acid, BHT, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Zea Mays Oil, Cyclomethicone, Squalane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polysilicone-15, Paraffinum Liquidum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
PEG-30 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oak Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rhus Glabra Bark/Berry/Root Extract
AntiseborrhoeicWool Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Sucrose Dilaurate
Emollient
Hexyl Dimethylolpropionate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PEG-30 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sucrose Stearate, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Oak Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Rhus Glabra Bark/Berry/Root Extract, Wool Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tocopherol, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Isostearic Acid, Sucrose Dilaurate, Hexyl Dimethylolpropionate, Sodium Hydroxide, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Alcohol, Parfum
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 AlcoholYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
