What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysilicone-15
UV FilterDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyether-1
Propylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOxygen
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tromethamine, Decyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Polyether-1, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Oxygen, Parfum
Homosalate
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyethylene
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientEthylene/Propylene Copolymer
AbrasiveSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCandelilla Wax Esters
Artemisia Annua Extract
MaskingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHomosalate, 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
Reviews
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 GlycolEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalatePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneSodium 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