What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone Silylate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Yeast Extract, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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