What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberStearic Acid
CleansingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTapioca Starch
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylparaben
PreservativeTrisodium EDTA
4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantEthylparaben
PreservativeDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingMyristic Acid
CleansingArachidic Acid
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOleic Acid
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Pearl
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Octocrylene, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tapioca Starch, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Trisodium EDTA, 4-Butylresorcinol, Ethylparaben, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Maltodextrin, Citrus Limon Juice, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Decylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Hydrated Silica
AbrasiveHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPotassium Carbonate
BufferingAlginic Acid
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantMel Extract
MoisturisingPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Petrolatum, Stearic Acid, Paraffinum Liquidum, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Potassium Hydroxide, Parfum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Xanthophylls, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Potassium Carbonate, Alginic Acid, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Mel Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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