What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 13%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 13%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Niacinamide, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, PEG-8 Laurate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Chlorphenesin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Disodium EDTA
Titanium Dioxide 15%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialUndecane
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Nylon-12
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientTridecane
Perfuming
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Iron Oxides
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Magnesium Sulfate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventBenzoic Acid
Masking
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPEG-9
HumectantTitanium Dioxide 15%, Water, Isododecane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Undecane, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Nylon-12, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Silica, Triethylhexanoin, Isohexadecane, Tridecane, Dicaprylyl Ether, Talc, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Aluminum Stearate, PEG-8 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopherol, Propylene Carbonate, Benzoic Acid, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, PEG-9
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeDicaprylyl Ether is created from caprylic acid. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Ether is non-comedogenic. It helps soften and smooth the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, helping to hydrate the skin.
Dicaprylyl Ether gives a non-greasy feel and better spreadability to products.
Learn more about Dicaprylyl EtherDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconePEG-8 Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaThis ingredient is a synthetic polymer that mainly works as a film former. It creates a thin, flexible film on the surface of your skin. Once applied, it helps improves wear, durability, and resistance to water/smudging.
Due to its large molecule size, it sits on top of your skin rather than absorbing into it.
Tocopherol 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
