What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrolyzed Chestnut Extract
Skin ProtectingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Limonia Acidissima Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Skin Conditioning
Verbena Officinalis Leaf Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentRosa Rugosa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Quaternium-18 Bentonite
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Chestnut Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Zinc Oxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Caprylyl Methicone, Titanium Dioxide, Alcohol Denat., C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Verbena Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Rosa Rugosa Flower Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Water, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491, CI 77492, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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 Water
