What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingC24-28 Alkyldimethylsiloxy Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Skin ProtectingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientRaspberry Ketone
MaskingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Isododecane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Acrylates Copolymer, Saccharomyces Ferment, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, C24-28 Alkyldimethylsiloxy Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycine Soja Oil, Squalane, Raspberry Ketone, Lauroyl Lysine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Triethyl Citrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Octyldodecanol, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Polysorbate 60, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Titanium Dioxide 9%
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide 6%
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDimethoxydiphenylsilane/Triethoxycaprylylsilane Crosspolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientGamma-Nonalactone
MaskingGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantSea Water
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriethyl Citrate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide 9%, Zinc Oxide 6%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alumina, Aluminum Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dimethoxydiphenylsilane/Triethoxycaprylylsilane Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Gamma-Nonalactone, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Isostearyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sea Water, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Isostearate, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethyl Citrate, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneTriethyl Citrate comes from citric acid. It has masking, perfuming, and solvent properties. As a solvent, this ingredient helps disperse ingredients evenly in skincare.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient can:
According to perfume manufacturers, this ingredient is almost odorless but has a mild fruity, wine and plum scent. It can be used to mask the scent of other ingredients.
This ingredient can be plant-sourced or synthetic; it can naturally be found in cabbage and white wine.
Learn more about Triethyl CitrateWater. 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