What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingUndecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentMethylpropanediol
SolventSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantArbutin
AntioxidantGlutathione
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearates
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCholesterol
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Niacinamide, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Tranexamic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Arbutin, Glutathione, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glyceryl Stearates, Jojoba Esters, Tromethamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Carbomer, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, BHT, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf 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.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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