What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Phytate
Glyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Tromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriolein
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Acrylates Copolymer, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Bioflavonoids, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyacetophenone, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ectoin, Betula Alba Juice, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ferulic Acid, Ethyl Ferulate, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Adenosine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Phytate, Glyceryl Dioleate, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triolein
Zinc Oxide 21%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Phytate
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sucrose
Humectant
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentBisabolol
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Glucose
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Zinc Oxide 21%, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sclerotium Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopherol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sucrose, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Oryza Sativa Starch, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Isostearic Acid, Glucose, Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tocopheryl 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 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
