What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexyl Dimethoxybenzylidene Dioxoimidazolidine Propionate
UV AbsorberLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Methyl/Phenyl Polysilsesquioxane
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMethylparaben
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Propylparaben
Preservative
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingArginine
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Dimethoxybenzylidene Dioxoimidazolidine Propionate, Lauroyl Lysine, Titanium Dioxide, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Methyl/Phenyl Polysilsesquioxane, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Potassium Hydroxide, Arginine, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Collagen
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolystyrene
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Triethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentaisostearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polystyrene, Xanthan Gum, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoatePolymethylsilsesquioxane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxaneWater. 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
