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
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Dimethicone
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCyclopentasiloxane, Water, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Silica, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Hydrated Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolymethylsilsesquioxane 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 PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol 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 PropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaTitanium 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 DioxideWater. 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