What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 9.5%
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 1%
UV Absorber
Steareth-6
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Citrus Junos Peel Oil
Astringent
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide 0.1%
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Methylparaben 0.2%
Preservative
Ethylparaben 0.01%
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol 0.9%
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 9.5%, Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1%, Octocrylene 1%, Steareth-6, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ng, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide 0.1%, BHT, Methylparaben 0.2%, Ethylparaben 0.01%, Phenoxyethanol 0.9%
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
SurfactantPhenoxyethanol
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
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 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 BHTButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
