What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPolysilicone-15
UV FilterDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Ceteth-10
EmulsifyingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSteareth-21
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Ceteth-10, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Steareth-21, Tromethamine, Propylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Alcohol
AntimicrobialVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGellan Gum
Polyurethane-1
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
HumectantCananga Odorata Flower Cera
MaskingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Octocrylene, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Olivate, Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Gellan Gum, Polyurethane-1, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Adenosine, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, CI 77491, Glucose, Cananga Odorata Flower Cera, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 CrosspolymerYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHomosalate 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 HomosalateLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTromethamine 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum