What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientSteareth-6
EmulsifyingOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCannabis Sativa Seed Extract
EmollientSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTriethanolamine
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Ethyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Steareth-6, Octocrylene, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Triethanolamine, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Cone Extract
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cupressus Sempervirens Cone Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Myristyl Myristate, Triethanolamine, Saccharide Isomerate, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-4
Reviews
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 CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolDiethylamino 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 BenzoateDisodium 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 EDTAPhenoxyethanol 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 HyaluronateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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