What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Tromethamine
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearates
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingUndecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Polysilicone-15, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Tromethamine, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearates, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Polyacrylate-13
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-9 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Tridecane
Perfuming
Undecane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-21
CleansingPolyisobutene
Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl
HumectantParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterPhenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Silica, C14-22 Alcohols, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylate-13, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, PEG-9 Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Tridecane, Undecane, Caprylyl Methicone, Steareth-21, Polyisobutene, Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Surfactin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Ectoin, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Polyester-7, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Zea Mays Starch, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alumina, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Hydrated Silica, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenoneThis ingredient is an emollient with skin conditioning properties.
According to the manufacturer, it is light, non-greasy, spreadable, and has the ability to act as a "silicone alternative".
Silica, 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 SilicaThis ingredient is created by the fermentation of Sphingomonas, an interesting bacteria. Sphingomonas bacteria use ubiquinone-10 to help them breathe and their cell walls contain ceramides.
Early research suggests that certain skin bacteria, especially Sphingomonas, could play a helpful role in skin health.
In small studies, these bacteria seemed to become more common after regular sun exposure, with one strain showing the ability to resist UV light and reduce stress in skin cells. Another study also linked Sphingomonas to smoother and more supple skin.
While these results sound promising, the research is still in its early stages, and more studies are needed to know how reliable or meaningful these effects really are.
Fun fact: Unlike most microbes, Sphingomonas can survive the wine fermentation process, making it a tiny microbial marker of a wine's unique "terroir", or the environmentās āfingerprintā on the wine.
Like other ferments, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sphingomonas Ferment ExtractTocopherol 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
