What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Phenyl Methicone
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Silanetriol
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTrideceth-10
CleansingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Honey Extract
Humectant
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenyl Methicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Allantoin, Lecithin, Octocrylene, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Bisabolol, Silanetriol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Trideceth-10, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trehalose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Honey Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Ethyl Methicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Aphanothece Sacrum Exopolysaccharides
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLithothamnion Calcareum Powder
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Mannitol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Lactobacillus, Aspergillus Ferment, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Lactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Extract Ferment Filtrate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Aphanothece Sacrum Exopolysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arachidyl Glucoside, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Lithothamnion Calcareum Powder, Citric Acid, Mannitol, Maltodextrin, Diatomaceous Earth, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Sulfate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glucose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Salicylate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 GlycolWater. 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
