What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-20
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Water, 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
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyacrylamide
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Methicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Geranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningEisenia Arborea Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyra Yezoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantMagnesium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sucrose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Glycine
Buffering
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
Abrasive
Alanine
Masking
Magnesium Chloride
Threonine
Histidine
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningAsparagine
MaskingCitrulline
Skin ConditioningUric Acid
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingTryptophan
MaskingFormic Acid
Preservative
Ammonia
Buffering
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Glutamine
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 waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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 is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
