What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasivePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Tromethamine
BufferingBeheneth-25
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ProtectingLecithin
EmollientCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tromethamine, Beheneth-25, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lecithin, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Oleanolic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventPolymethyl Methacrylate
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingNylon-12
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-20
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlucose
HumectantPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveBHT
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propanediol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, C14-22 Alcohols, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycereth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Glucose, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, BHT, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid
Reviews
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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