What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Morus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Citric Acid
Buffering
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Helichrysum Italicum Flower Water
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningWater, Homosalate, Silica, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, CI 77891, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Polysorbate 60, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Palmitic Acid, Tromethamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Myristic Acid, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Water, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Water
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPiroctone Olamine
Preservative
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silver Chloride
Preservative
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Piroctone Olamine, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Silica, Disodium Phosphate, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Silver Chloride
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 BenzoateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
