What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPolyether-1
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Fructan, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dimethiconol, Trisiloxane, Alumina, Stearic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polyether-1, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Octyldodecanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Gallate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPullulan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasiveSucrose Stearate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Gallate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Alcohol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Octyldodecanol, Adenosine, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Polyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer, CI 77891, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Aluminum Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Alumina, Sucrose Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, T-Butyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Squalane, Parfum
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is a white powder used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaButylene 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 BenzoateCardiospermum halicacabum extract is more commonly known as Balloon Vine Extract.
Balloon Vine Extract helps soothe skin and is an antioxidant. It also contains many fatty acids, such as palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids. While these fatty acids help soften skin, they may not be fungal-friendly.
Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Balloon Vine has been used in traditional medicine in many Asian cultures.
Learn more about Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine ExtractCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract comes from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera plant.
Moringa seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin hydrating properties. These seeds are rich in oils, proteins, monounsaturated fats, and tocopherols.
As an emollient, moringa seed oil helps trap moisture in the skin by creating a film on top. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Many compounds in moringa seed oil are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These compounds include Vitamin E. , catechins, ferulic acid, and more.
Another compound found in Moringa seed oil is oleic acid.
Moringa trees are native to the Himalayan mountains.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed ExtractOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidPolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidT-Butyl Alcohol it is most commonly used as a solvent.
At room temperature, T-Butyl Alcohol melts and has a similar smell to camphor.
This ingredient is derived from isobutane. It is the simplest form of a tertiary alcohol. Due to its chemical structure, it is more resistant to oxidation.
Some sources online claim T-Butyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. However, it is not considered one due to its chemical structure.
Learn more about T-Butyl AlcoholTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. 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