What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Steareth-21
CleansingSilica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Steareth-21, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Steareth-2, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ceramide EOP, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lecithin
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Oxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingVaccinium Corymbosum Seed
Abrasive
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
C9-12 Alkane
SolventHydrogen Dimethicone
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Benzophenone-3, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Xylitol, Glucose, Sodium Levulinate, Phospholipids, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Anhydroxylitol, Oxothiazolidine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Vaccinium Corymbosum Seed, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, C9-12 Alkane, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid
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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl 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 Water
