What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tribehenin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
Preservative
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Simethicone
Emollient
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid
SurfactantCalcium Hydroxymethionine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tribehenin, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylparaben, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan Laurate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Simethicone, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, 3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid, Calcium Hydroxymethionine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Sodium Benzoate, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide EOP, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Horse Fat
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Taraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Eremophila Mitchellii Wood Oil
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Dimethyl Sulfone, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Horse Fat, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Eremophila Mitchellii Wood Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
