What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Tromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, 2,3-Butanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Glycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Adenosine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Ectoin, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Sodium Dna
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Phenethyl Benzoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Benzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Dipropylene Glycol, CI 77891, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polysilicone-15, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Isododecane, Octyldodecanol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, CI 77492, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Adenosine, Polyacrylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, CI 77491, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
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.Β
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 preservativesΒ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineThis ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineDibutyl Adipate is a lightweight, oil-soluble ester that acts as an emollient and solvent. It helps products spread more easily and leaves a soft, silky, dry-touch finish without being greasy.
You'll likely see this ingredient in sunscreens because it does a nice job dissolving UV filters and keeping them evenly distributed.
This ingredient has been found to be safe as used in cosmetics, wasn't a skin or eye irritant in clinical patch testing, and wasn't phototoxic.
In a clinical comedogenicity test, this ingredient tested negative so it isn't likely to clog pores.
Typical use levels are about 5-8% for sunscreens + nail products, but can range from 0.005%-8% depending on the product.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino 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 TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThis ingredient is a polymer made from acrylic acid esters and long-chain (C10βC30) alcohols.
It is used as an emulsion stabilizer and viscosity controlling agent. This helps products maintain a smooth and uniform texture.
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is a plant-derived emulsifier whose only job is to keep the oily and watery parts of a formula blended so it doesn't separate into layers.
It's compatible with a wide-range of active ingredients and especially good at making emulsions survive heat/freeze cycles.
Typical use concentrations range from 2-3% and it works across a pH of 4.5-8.5.
This ingredient has been found safe to use in cosmetics and has a low irritation profile.
Because it's build on stearic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that falls within the range (C11-24) that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Β
Itβs 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 PropanediolEcamsule is a UV-A absorber (290β400 nm) patented by L'Oreal. It is derived from benzylidene camphor, making it highly photostable.
Ecamsule is able to prevent UV from reaching the skin. It absorbs UV and releases it as thermal energy.
It does this by:
The pH of ecamsule needs to be neutralized due to it being an acid. Triethanolamine is a pH adjusting ingredient often used with ecamsule.
This sunscreen ingredient is approved for use in the EU, Canada, and Asia. In the US, you will only find this ingredient in select L'Oreal products.
Learn more about Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic AcidTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
