What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycol Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylparaben
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveStearamide Amp
Linalool
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isohexadecane, Glycol Stearate, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Cetyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 80, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Stearamide Amp, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantArginine
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLecithin
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Silica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Arginine, Trehalose, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Glyceryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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