What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV AbsorberGlycereth-26
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPolyepsilon-Lysine
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantQuartz
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPrunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Kobus Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ascorbic Acid, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, CI 77492, Decyl Glucoside, CI 77491, CI 77499, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Polyepsilon-Lysine, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol, Quartz, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Magnolia Kobus Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorphenesin, Alpha-Arbutin, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Parfum, Allantoin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateThis ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā 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 isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, 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 DioxideWater. 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