What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylparaben
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTriethanolamine
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract
AntimicrobialTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantFructose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientWater, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cera Alba, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, PEG-20 Stearate, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Allantoin, CI 77492, Triethanolamine, Decyl Glucoside, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Alumina, CI 77491, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Alpha-Arbutin, Xanthan Gum, Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Fructose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Titanium Dioxide, C14-22 Alcohols, Dimethicone, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Niacinamide 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as āmineralā by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnāt as strong as zinc oxideās, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTriethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water