Water. 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

Propanediol

Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Caprylyl Methicone

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Methicone is a type of silicone.

It helps soften and soothe the skin by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture, keeping your skin hydrated.

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.

It is a:

Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
Emollient, helping to soften skin
Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene 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 Glycol

Dibutyl Adipate

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Adipate

Tocopherol

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (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 skin’s 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 Tocopherol

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Saferecipe Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++

Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+

When to use

Pestlo Saferecipe Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ 52 ingredients

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ 41 ingredients

3 Routines

100% use in am

0% use in pm

100% use every day

7,528 Routines

97% use in am

3% use in pm

96% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Pestlo Saferecipe Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ 52 ingredients

3.0 /5

from 1 rating

Expensive (1)

KC.

8 months ago

Review

Better but not best.

This is good for oily acne prone skin.
Minimal white cast.
Did not cause acne

The new formulation has limonene and linolol which are fragrances at the bottom of the list. Never trully absorbed by the skin. It leaves that slightly tacky film. You only know it is there when you touch your skin.
It clings to dry flaky skin

#expensive

Pestlo

Saferecipe Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ 41 ingredients

3.5 /5

from 225 ratings

Works Well (63) Hydrating (62) Absorbs Well (56)

Ela

5 months ago

Review

BEWARE: I got a fake one from Amazon, it caused break outs on my skin and dried out during the day within few hours. The tube (packaging) is 100% aluminum and has a gloss pastel yellow packaging color. The fake one is plastic tube and has matt grayish yellow packaging color. See pictures in comparison (left is real and right is fake). Do not recommend buying it from Amazon at all.

Overall, I Show more

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#sticky

Beauty of Joseon

Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+

sushiwantsclearskin

2 years ago

Review

I really wanted to love it!
I love the ingredients, the way it sits on my face, the dewiness it leaves on application, it even helps with the hyperpigmentation scars. BUT! It also makes me break out- which is such a bummer because other than that I really do love this product :(

Beauty of Joseon

Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+