What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientErythrulose
TanningMelanin
Skin ProtectingRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Carnitine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberTetrasodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dihydroxyacetone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Erythrulose, Melanin, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Caffeine, Palmitoyl Carnitine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Caramel, Benzophenone-4, Benzophenone-3, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Citrate
BufferingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAnise Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dihydroxyacetone, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Propylene Carbonate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Sodium Citrate, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Tocopherol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Anise Alcohol, Coumarin, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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