What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasivePolymethyl Methacrylate
Octocrylene
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCeteareth-25
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Silica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octocrylene, Propanediol, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Ceteareth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Copper Tripeptide-1, Ceramide Eos, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientTranexamic Acid
AstringentDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylglycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tranexamic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Decyl Glucoside, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum