What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 9%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
BHT
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOenanthe Javanica Extract
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 5%, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isohexadecane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, BHT, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Oenanthe Javanica Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTerephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberIsododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTromethamine
BufferingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-15
UV FilterPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Isododecane, Niacinamide, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tromethamine, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Polysilicone-15, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Myristic Acid, Butylene Glycol, T-Butyl 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAmmonium 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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