What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No 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 ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDioctyldodeceth-5 Lauroyl Glutamate
EmollientAlumina
AbrasiveAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylpropanediol
SolventSimethicone
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dioctyldodeceth-5 Lauroyl Glutamate, Alumina, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Simethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium 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 CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 PropanediolTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTriethanolamine (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 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