What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Gelatin
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPvp
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTartaric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantParfum
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAluminum Glycinate
AstringentHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientIsomerized Safflower Glycerides
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Gelatin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pvp, Ethyl Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide, Tartaric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Betaine, Parfum, Adenosine, Aluminum Glycinate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Isomerized Safflower Glycerides, Polysorbate 80, Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Betaine
HumectantPPG-16
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantIsohexadecane
EmollientCeteareth-33
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingLavandula Stoechas Flower/Stem Extract
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingElettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
PerfumingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Betaine, PPG-16, Sodium Hyaluronate, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sea Whip Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Mica, Isohexadecane, Ceteareth-33, Titanium Dioxide, Decylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 80, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triethyl Citrate, Lavandula Stoechas Flower/Stem Extract, Propanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Benzoate, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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 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