What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPEG-75 Stearate
SurfactantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingEctoin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveZinc PCA
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycereth-26, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Oleate, Silica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacrylate, PEG-75 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Ectoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, BHT, Pentylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Zinc Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Disiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Pentylene Glycol, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Isododecane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ethyl Ferulate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol
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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene 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 GlycolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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