What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-20
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Triazone, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Limonene, Linalool, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Potassium Hydroxide, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolyacrylamide
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningEisenia Arborea Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyra Yezoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingSucrose
HumectantUrea
BufferingGlycine
BufferingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
AbrasiveAlanine
MaskingMagnesium Chloride
Threonine
Histidine
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Glutamic Acid
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingArginine
Masking1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningAsparagine
MaskingCitrulline
Skin ConditioningUric Acid
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingTryptophan
MaskingFormic Acid
PreservativeAmmonia
BufferingCysteine
AntioxidantGlutamine
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyacrylamide, Chlorphenesin, Niacinamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Coco-Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Betaine, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Eisenia Arborea Extract, Porphyra Yezoensis Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract, Magnesium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Serine, Sucrose, Urea, Glycine, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Ornithine, Sea Salt, Alanine, Magnesium Chloride, Threonine, Histidine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Proline, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Isoleucine, Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Phenylalanine, Arginine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Asparagine, Citrulline, Uric Acid, Methionine, Taurine, Tryptophan, Formic Acid, Ammonia, Cysteine, Glutamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolCetearyl 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 SalicylateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin 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 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.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol (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