What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 8.7%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Niacinamide
SmoothingBenzyl Glycol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOldenlandia Diffusa Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Extract
AstringentYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonia Acidissima Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 8.7%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Niacinamide, Benzyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Arginine, Carbomer, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Oldenlandia Diffusa Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Extract, Yeast Extract, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Glycerin, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Ascorbic Acid, Folic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Parfum, Citral, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Caprylate
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ectoin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMaris Aqua
HumectantXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhormidium Persicinum Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, C14-22 Alcohols, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycereth-26, Triacontanyl Pvp, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Decyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Caprylate, Steareth-21, Tocopheryl Acetate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ectoin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maris Aqua, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phormidium Persicinum Extract, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Pancratium Maritimum 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.
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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum