What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV AbsorberNylon-12
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctyldodecanol
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantAcetyl Trifluoromethylphenyl Valylglycine
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingDisodium EDTA
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
AbrasivePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingSilica
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Octocrylene, Nylon-12, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octyldodecanol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Isopropyl Isostearate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Acetyl Trifluoromethylphenyl Valylglycine, Adenosine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Faex Extract, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Retinyl Palmitate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyethylene, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Stearic Acid, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 15510, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventTapioca Starch
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientTriisostearin
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialCreatine
Skin Conditioning1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Sulfate
Parfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Tapioca Starch, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Triisostearin, Bakuchiol, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Sulfate, Parfum, CI 15985, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water