What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tribehenin
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Tetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-94
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-95
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tribehenin, Niacinamide, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, T-Butyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-94, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-95
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Adipate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Lecithin
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Algin
Masking
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diethylhexyl Adipate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sorbitol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Octocrylene, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Alcohol, Carbomer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Lecithin, Propanediol, Benzoic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ubiquinone, Glyceryl Stearate, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Algin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Triethanolamine, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 Water
