What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diglycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bifida Polysaccharide
HumectantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningPolianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pyrus Cydonia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningC30-45 Alkyl Methicone
Emollient
C30-45 Olefin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diglycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bifida Polysaccharide, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Polianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pyrus Cydonia Fruit Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, C30-45 Alkyl Methicone, C30-45 Olefin, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Methylparaben, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methylparaben
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Antioxidant
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Lauroyl Lysine, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Arginine, Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateThis ingredient comes from a fatty acid (lauric acid) and amino acid (lysine). It is used to add a silky feel to cosmetics.
According to a manufacturer, its fatty acid base leaves a silky feeling on the skin. It also has emollient properties because of this. Emollients help soften skin by preventing water from evaporating.
Lauroyl lysine is barely soluble in water.
Learn more about Lauroyl LysineMethylparaben is a synthetic preservative and one of the most widely used in the world. It has a simple, but important job: prevent your products from going bad by stopping bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing.
Typical use levels are low, often 0.1-0.3%.
This is also one of the most heavily studied preservatives out there and major regulatory bodies have repeatedly given it the green light.
In 2023, the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) confirmed that this ingredient is safe up to 0.4% on its own, of up to 0.8% when mixed with other paraben esters.
Here's the science behind the noise behind parabens/hormones as well:
Methylparaben shows very weak estrogen-like activity in vitro tests (more than 1,000x weaker than your body's own estradiol). In vivo (live-organism) studies don't support a meaningful endocrine-disrupting effect either.
You get a stronger estrogenic effect from eating tofu, actually.
It's also a low sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon; they usually happen on damage or broken skin.
There is a caveat: France has proposed to formally re-examine its endocrine classification in 2025 so the regulatory conversation isn't fully closed as of yet.
But as it stands today, this ingredient is considered safe at permitted levels.
Learn more about MethylparabenPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
