What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
C15-19 Alkane
SolventAmylopectin
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Bentonite
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTridecane
Perfuming
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Quartz
Abrasive
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Amylopectin, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Triheptanoin, Undecane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Saccharide Isomerate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Allantoin, Arginine, Bentonite, Xanthan Gum, Tridecane, Maltodextrin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Coco-Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Quartz, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Corn Starch Modified
AbsorbentSilanetriol
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Bentonite
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glucosyl Ceramide
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Propanediol, Isoamyl Laurate, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethoxydiglycol, Panthenol, Ectoin, Corn Starch Modified, Silanetriol, Adenosine, Bentonite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucosyl Ceramide, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Allantoin, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBentonite is an aluminium phyllosilicate clay with great absorbent properties. The name 'bentonite' comes from the area where the largest source is found: Fort Benton, Wyoming.
As a clay, bentonite is often used to absorb excess oil and provide exfoliation. It has also been shown to have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show bentonite was effective at calming dermatitis from poison ivy and in diaper dermatitis of infants. Bentonite has also been shown to act as a barrier against toxic compounds on your skin.
Sunscreens containing bentonite display higher water resistance and stay on the skin for much longer. The sunscreens containing bentonite also show higher potency and UV light absorbtion.
Bentonite is naturally created from volcanic ash and several natural weathering/hydrothermal processes.
A common usage of bentonite is removing excess protein from white wines. Bentonite contains a property of being able to absorb large amounts of protein from aqueous solutions.
Phyllosilicate clay has a structure formed by sheets.
Learn more about BentoniteCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTocopherol 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
