What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
PEG-100 Stearate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Eriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingAlumina
Abrasive
Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-100 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Eriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Alumina, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Sorbic Acid
Homosalate 9.95%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 10.1%
Cosmetic Colorant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Datem
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polybutene
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer 1%
Emulsion StabilisingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Malic Acid
Buffering
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate 9.95%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Zinc Oxide 10.1%, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Trisiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Datem, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polybutene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer 1%, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Malic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolC12-15 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 BenzoateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 (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.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid is a soft wax made from castor oil.
It is is a texture thickener, emulsifier, and film-former. Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters.
Polyhydroxystearic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidWater. 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
