What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCetearyl Olivate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantSqualane
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingEctoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveBHT
AntioxidantHydrogen Dimethicone
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Allantoin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Triacontanyl Pvp, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Olivate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Urea, Ectoin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Sodium Carbomer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydrated Silica, BHT, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol
Collagen Water
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterSilica
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCanola Oil
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantMannose
HumectantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmodimethicone
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCollagen Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Silica, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Canola Oil, Tromethamine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Glucose, Mannose, Arginine, Carbomer, Amodimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Sodium DNA, Glutathione, Ascorbic Acid, Limonene, Citral
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDiethylamino 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 BenzoateThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamatePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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