What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantUndecane
EmollientC8-22 Alkyl Acrylates/Methacrylic Acid Crosspolymer
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberTridecane
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropyl Alcohol
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Dehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Undecane, C8-22 Alkyl Acrylates/Methacrylic Acid Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Tridecane, Phenoxyethanol, Propyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzoic Acid, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDibutyl Adipate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethyl Caprylate
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Olivoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingBenzoic Acid
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Phenoxyethyl Caprylate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Canola Oil, Silica, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Trehalose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Decyl Glucoside, Benzoic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Dibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 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.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but itās technically not; itās a hydrocarbon, meaning itās only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term āoil-freeā isnāt regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. Itās worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneTocopherol (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 skinās 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water