What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlumina
Abrasive
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, CI 77891, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Propanediol, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel, Carbomer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Tin Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Sorbitol, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, CI 17200, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Talc
Abrasive
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Glycerin
Humectant
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningLoess Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlumina
Abrasive
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Stearoyl Glutamic Acid
CleansingPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Nylon-12
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methyl Trimethicone, Talc, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Glycerin, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tocopherol, Hydroxyproline, Loess Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Dipropylene Glycol, Alumina, Octyldodecanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Stearic Acid, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Nylon-12, Polyethylene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Lauroyl Lysine, Diisostearyl Malate, Zinc Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.
UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.
Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.
Tinosorb M is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.
It's sister, Tinosorb S, is set to be approved in the US by late 2025 (fingers crossed!).
Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl TetramethylbutylphenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away. As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as oil and water.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
