What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer
Abrasive
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Candelilla Wax Esters
Artemisia Annua Extract
Masking
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Caprylyl Trimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyethylene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Candelilla Wax Esters, Artemisia Annua Extract, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Water, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vinyldimethicone
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-15
UV Filter
Silica
Abrasive
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Calamine
AbsorbentSynthetic Wax, Dibutyl Adipate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vinyldimethicone, Ozokerite, Polysilicone-15, Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Bisabolol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Calamine
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.
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
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 GlycolGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateIsopropyl Palmitate is a lightweight emollient made by combining isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
It is an emollient that leaves skin feeling smooth and silky without leaving a greasy feel.
Typical usage concentrations range from 1-5%.
Human testing shows it's non-irritating and non-sensitizing, and the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has cleared it at very high levels (79% in leave-on products).
The one thing worth knowing about its comedogenic score of 3-4 is to keep it in perspective: these ratings come from old rabbit-ear tests using 100% of pure ingredient and doesn't reflect how it behaves at low levels in a finished product.
Because it is an ester of palmitic acid (C16), it falls into the range that the Malassezia yeast can feed on and is considered not fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitateThis ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
Synthetic Wax is a manufactured hydrocarbon wax. In formulas, it works as an occlusive emollient that helps reduce water loss and improves the spreadability of products.
Research comparing synthetic wax to traditional mineral-derived products found that formulas containing it perform as well for skin hydration.
It is considered non-comedogenic and vegan-friendly.
This ingredient has a well-established safety record by the CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety.
Synthetic Waxes are straight/branched-chain hydrocarbons with no ester bond or fatty acids. That means there is nothing for the Malassezia yeast to feed on.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxThis tree is also known as the David Elm. It contains the ingredient bakuchiol.
Other great compounds found in this ingredient include galactose, glucose, and phenolics. The sugar content gives it great skin hydrating properties. Phenolics are potent antioxidants commonly found in fruits and veggies.
A 2020 study found the phenolics of this root to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fun fact: This ingredient is used in traditional Asian medicine.
Learn more about Ulmus Davidiana Root ExtractWater. 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
