What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingBetula Alba Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningWater, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Parfum, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-6, Xanthan Gum, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberStearyl Alcohol
EmollientUrea
BufferingCeteareth-25
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantCeteareth-20
CleansingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Stearyl Alcohol, Urea, Ceteareth-25, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-12, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Palmitate, Parfum, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 ParfumStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” 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 isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, 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 DioxideWater. 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