What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propylene Glycol, Dihydroxyacetone, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caffeine, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Hydrated Silica, CI 16035, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingDihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Moschata Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propylene Glycol, Dihydroxyacetone, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 Linoleammonium Chloride, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Caramel, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 42090, CI 16035, CI 19140, CI 17200, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 16035 is a synthetic dark-red dye. This dye is created from an acid called Allura red AC, an azo dye.
Azo dyes need to be purified thoroughly before use. This makes them more stable and longer lasting.
This dye is commonly used in foods, approved by both the FDA and EFSA.
Learn more about CI 16035CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
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