What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAlcohol
AntimicrobialIsotridecyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Dipalmitate
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingTriceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysilicone-14
Polysilicone-15
UV FilterPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasiveTin Oxide
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Tripropylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Ascorbyl Dipalmitate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Oleate, Carrageenan, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethylhexanoin, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polysilicone-14, Polysilicone-15, Polysorbate 80, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Lecithin, Hydrated Silica, Tin Oxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerYou 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 TriazineCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDiethylamino 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 BenzoateDimethicone 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum