What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Carnitine
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Lecithin, Caffeine, Palmitoyl Carnitine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Rubus Idaeus Extract
Skin ProtectingPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dihydroxyacetone, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Saccharide Isomerate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dihydroxyacetone, 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 DihydroxyacetoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinYou can find hydrolyzed silk in both haircare and skincare products. According to a manufacturer, it can help improve skin and hair hydration.
This ingredient is created by adding acid or enzymes to 'hydrolyze' silk protein.
Due to the origins of this ingredient, it is not vegan. Silk is an animal product from silkworms.
Depending on the source, this ingredient can be considered cruelty-free. It is created from left-over cocoons of silkworms. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about where their hydrolyzed silk comes from.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed SilkPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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 a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl 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 Acetate
