What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propane
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTalc
Abrasive
Typha Angustifolia Spike Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Rehmannia Glutinosa Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Water
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propane, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Talc, Typha Angustifolia Spike Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Rhizome Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Propylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Zea Mays Oil, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polysilicone-15, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Water, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Propane
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
PEG-3 Dicaprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-15
UV Filter
Turtle Extract
EmollientHematite Extract
Skin ProtectingSus Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Leaf/Stem Extract
Mauritia Flexuosa Flower/Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFlower Extract
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Algae Extract
EmollientBHT
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropane, Alcohol, PEG-3 Dicaprylate/Caprate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Water, Polysilicone-15, Turtle Extract, Hematite Extract, Sus Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf/Stem Extract, Mauritia Flexuosa Flower/Seed Extract, Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Algae Extract, BHT, Dipropylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
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 AlcoholBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTThis ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePolysilicone-15 is a chemical UV filter that absorbs UV-B rays.
It is a photostable ingredient used to boost SPF factor and protect products from UV-induced deterioration.
This ingredient is not water-soluble.
Learn more about Polysilicone-15Propane is a gas derived from petroleum and natural gas. In cosmetics, its only used as an aerosol propellant (it pushes your product out of the can when you press the nozzle).
That's why you'll find it in hair sprays, dry shampoos, deodorants, mousses, shaving foams, and sunscreen sprays.
It is volatile, meaning it only remains on skin for less than 10 seconds before evaporating. It doesn't really linger long enough on skin to act as a skincare ingredient in any meaningful way.
Hairspray concentrations are between 6-17%.
The CIR Expert Panel concluded it to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient under present concentration and usage.
Learn more about PropaneWater. 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
