What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 1%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Oligopeptide-24
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 1%, Benzophenone-3 5%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Stearic Acid, Oligopeptide-24, Polysorbate 60, Polyester-8, Sclerotium Gum, Bisabolol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Sodium PCA, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosterols, Chlorphenesin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Glycolipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Tocopherol, Citral, Linalool, Limonene
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 1.5%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 3.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningEmulsifying Wax Nf
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Linoleate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Linoleate
Skin Conditioning
Lysophosphatidic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingEthyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate
Emulsifying
PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 1.5%, Benzophenone-3 3.5%, Water, Emulsifying Wax Nf, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13, Ascorbyl Linoleate, Retinyl Linoleate, Lysophosphatidic Acid, Panthenol, Allantoin, Arginine, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Ethyl Macadamiate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinYou probably know this ingredient as Oxybenzone, a sunscreen ingredient. It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient, meaning it can protect the skin against UVB and short UVA rays. The absorption range is 270-350 nm with peak absorption at 288 and 350 nm.
This chemical ingredient protects your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV absorbers may absorb both UVA and UVB rays. It is often combined with other sunscreen ingredients to help with stability.
Ongoing research is looking into whether oxybenzone causes skin irritation and sensitivity. However, it has been shown to trigger contact dermatitis in some studies.
Oxybenzone is allowed in certain concentrations by many countries. It is allowed up to 6% in the US, and Canada, 5% in Japan, and 10% in Australia. Other countries and regions of the US have banned this ingredient to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems. These places include Hawaii, Key West, US Virgin Islands, marine parks in Thailand, Aruba, and Palau.
The EU currently allows the following maximum concentrations:
Studies show conflicting results about oxybenzone being absorbed into the human body. The Swedish Research Institute has advised careful use of this ingredient by pregnant women and children. We always recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns about this ingredient and your health.
Learn more about Benzophenone-3Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl 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 GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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.
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 Water
