What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract
Perfuming
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Water, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Isohexadecane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Oleate
Alternatives
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 CrosspolymerCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80This long ingredient is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers.
It is used to help stabilize other ingredients and create a thicker gel-like texture.
Emulsifiers prevent oils and waters from separating.
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSorbitan Oleate is a PEG-free emulsifier made by esterifying sorbitol with oleic acid.
You'll likely see it paired with Polysorbate 80 to create the right emulsification balance.
Typical use levels in formulas range from 2-10%.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient.
Since this ingredient is an ester of oleic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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
