What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
PreservativeDimethiconol
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylparaben
PreservativeHibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSimethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tribehenin, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Dimethicone, Mica, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylparaben, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan Laurate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Simethicone, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, CI 77891
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 4%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 2%
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantErgothioneine
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentCaffeine
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantAlgae Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingCholesterol
EmollientGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningArtemia Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientGlucose
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 4%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 2%, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Ergothioneine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cyclodextrin, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Algae Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Artemia Extract, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Squalane, Glucose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 42090
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin 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 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 OctocryleneParfum 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 Acetate