What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningOrobanche Rapum Extract
Skin ProtectingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Trehalose, Lactobacillus, Orobanche Rapum Extract, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Sodium Gluconate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
Absorbent
Cera Alba
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cistus Monspeliensis Extract
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Zea Mays Starch, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Stearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Mica, Bentonite, Cera Alba, Propanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, CI 77891, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Maltodextrin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Cistus Monspeliensis Extract, Tocopherol
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
You 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 TriazineCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
