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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.

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 preservatives

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene 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 Glycol

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++

UV Defense Me Daily Sun Fluid SPF50+/PA++++

When to use

Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++ 55 ingredients

Make p:rem UV Defense Me Daily Sun Fluid SPF50+/PA++++ 59 ingredients

99 Routines

97% use in am

3% use in pm

96% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

6 Routines

100% use in am

0% use in pm

83% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++ 55 ingredients

3.0 /5

from 6 ratings

Strong Scent (2) Hydrating (2) Irritating (1)

BrittBrine

1 year ago

Review

I want to love this, as the finish is really nice and it seems to do well at preventing sunburns. The fragrance is just too strong and it's not reef-safe. It has helped clear up my fungal acne though.

#hydrating

#strong scent

Missha

All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++

ofeezyy

2 years ago

Review

pass
soft finish but also kinda drying, reeks of like Axe spray ? def better out there

Missha

All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++

Make p:rem UV Defense Me Daily Sun Fluid SPF50+/PA++++ 59 ingredients

3.0 /5

from 1 rating

anemone

2 years ago

Review

economical korean sunscreen for VERY fair skin
i would only recommend this sunscreen to those with very fair skin, as it leaves me with a noticeable white cast. and i’m rather fair-skinned myself (MAC NC13/NARS Gobi), so that’s saying a lot.
i also only use this sunscreen on my body, not only because of the white cast, but also because it pills on my face.
overall, this is a decent option if Show more