What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 2.5%
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide 1%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Magnesium Sulfate
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingAlgae Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/PEG-10 Crosspolymer
Emollient
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Chloroxylenol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantChromium Oxide Greens
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 2.5%, Titanium Dioxide 1%, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Algae Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Laureth-7, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10 Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sorbic Acid, Chloroxylenol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Chromium Oxide Greens
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOpuntia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Stearic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Opuntia Vulgaris Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
