What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterSilica
AbrasiveBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolyurethane-35
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingTrehalose
HumectantEscin
TonicAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
MaskingPropanediol
SolventC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientBuddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantSymphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHelichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantIsomalt
HumectantLecithin
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientLaureth-23
CleansingSteareth-100
Gel FormingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dibutyl Adipate, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Silica, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Titanium Dioxide, Polyurethane-35, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Escin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Saccharide Isomerate, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Propanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Ectoin, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Isomalt, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Steareth-100, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXylitol
HumectantSorbitan Distearate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-80
Isohexadecane
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearoyl Glutamic Acid
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dipropylene Glycol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dextrin Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Xylitol, Sorbitan Distearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-80, Isohexadecane, Potassium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, BHT, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf/Stem Extract, Panthenol
Reviews
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 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 GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateDisodium 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 Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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