What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningHexyl Salicylate
MaskingDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSucrose Polystearate
EmollientTetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTrisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Ferox Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Homosalate, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Hexyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Panthenol, Glycerin, Silica, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sucrose Polystearate, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Cellulose Gum, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Distarch Phosphate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Trisodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Powder, Sodium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientEthyl Palmitate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingOctyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Isohexadecane, Ethyl Palmitate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaChances 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 ChlorideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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 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