What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberGlycol Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingStearamide Amp
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPetrolatum
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantWater, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glycol Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Stearamide Amp, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Petrolatum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPropylene Glycol
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBis-Methane
UV FilterCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientHomosalate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterPhenol
AntimicrobialC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Methane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Homosalate, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Phospholipids, Ectoin, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Phenol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Allantoin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Decyl Glucoside, Laureth-7, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, Benzophenone-3, Butylene Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideParfum 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 ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum