What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Betaine
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Ethyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polysorbate 60, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Triethanolamine, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexyl Trimellitate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Phenyl Methicone
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer
Emulsifying
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Succinate
MaskingSuccinic Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Nitrate
SoothingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingGlyoxal
Antimicrobial
Acetone
SolventDisodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Triethylhexyl Trimellitate, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Phenyl Methicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ceramide NP, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-10/7/Dimethicone Copolymer, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium Succinate, Succinic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Nitrate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Glyoxal, Acetone, Disodium Phosphate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
