What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantParfum
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-26, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Titanium Dioxide, Polysorbate 60, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, C12-16 Alcohols, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trideceth-6, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCetearyl Olivate
Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Dimethicone
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Octocrylene, Cetearyl Olivate, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Madecassoside, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylate-13, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyisobutene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 StearateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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