What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberIsododecane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Niacinamide
SmoothingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAvena Sativa Straw Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Isododecane, Silica, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 80, Panthenol, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Avena Sativa Straw Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Behenyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Isopropyl Myristate, Niacinamide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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