What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bacillus
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Water, Dihydroxyacetone, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Maltodextrin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bacillus, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetonePhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
