What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientGuanosine
Skin ConditioningCyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCinnamic Acid
PerfumingLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGeraniol
PerfumingDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLevulinic Acid
PerfumingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Alcohol Denat., Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Jojoba Esters, Tocopherol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Guanosine, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 17200, Sodium Levulinate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, PEG-8 Laurate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Polyglycerin-3, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamic Acid, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Geraniol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Levulinic Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAnigozanthos Flavidus Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBetaine
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveSorbitol
HumectantDiospyros Mespiliformis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSanicula Europaea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingBalanites Roxburghii Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMitracarpus Scaber Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingMalpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningWater, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Parfum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Tocopherol, Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Silica, Sorbitol, Diospyros Mespiliformis Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sanicula Europaea Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil, Mitracarpus Scaber Extract, Citric Acid, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, CI 15985, Potassium Sorbate, Maris Sal
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone used to improve the texture of products and absorb oil. It does not get absorbed into the skin.
Like other silicones, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer helps condition the skin by creating a barrier. In this sense, it can act as an emollient and trap moisture in.
This ingredient is a type of elastomer.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopherol (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 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