What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientArginine
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterTriethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysilicone-13
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Arginine, Silica, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Triethylhexanoin, Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-13, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Propylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Glycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientArginine
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gluconolactone, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Trehalose, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CrosspolymerArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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