What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveHomosalate
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningSilica Silylate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Angustifolium Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientCnidium Monnieri Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientOctyldodecyl Oleate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSynthetic Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Homosalate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Silica Silylate, Octocrylene, Cetyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Hydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Maltodextrin, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract, Cnidium Monnieri Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Octocrylene
UV AbsorberAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantViscum Album Extract
Skin ConditioningSasa Quelpaertensis Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Bombycis Leaf Extract
SmoothingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantMethoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingBis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Homosalate, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Octocrylene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Viscum Album Extract, Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Morus Bombycis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Arbutin, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneParfum 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 ParfumRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopheryl 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