What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingIsostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyacrylamide
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
C9-11 Pareth-6
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Propylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Isostearyl Isostearate, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Benzoate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chlorphenesin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Hyaluronic Acid, Triethanolamine, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, C9-11 Pareth-6, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Talc
Abrasive
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Nylon-12
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rice Bran/Germ Triterpenoids
Skin ConditioningBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningSesame Amino Acids
HumectantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydrogen Dimethicone
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrated Silica, Nylon-12, Diisostearyl Malate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, CI 77492, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Water, CI 77491, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Rice Bran/Germ Triterpenoids, Bioflavonoids, Sesame Amino Acids, CI 77499, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateButylene 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 Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It can help reduce irritation and soothe the skin.
Many active components found in centella asiatica, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Research shows centella asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.
The combination of all these properties makes centella asiatica leaf extract effective at soothing the skin.
Other components of centella asiatica leaf extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.
This plant 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 Leaf ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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 AcetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
