What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Dimethicone
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Stearic Acid
CleansingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPullulan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLolium Perenne Leaf Extract
PerfumingHelianthus Annuus Flower
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasiveSucrose Stearate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Propanediol, CI 77891, Phenyl Trimethicone, Calamine, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lolium Perenne Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Flower, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tocopherol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Aluminum Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Alumina, Sucrose Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Squalane, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsohexadecane
EmollientAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventOctyldodecanol
EmollientParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingGlycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Aluminum Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propanediol, Octyldodecanol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Alumina, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Lipids, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ethylhexylglycerin, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
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
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is a white powder used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaAluminum Stearate is the aluminum salt of the fatty acid, stearic acid. It is used to stabilize formulas, add thickness, and as a colorant.
Like other large lipophilic molecules, this ingredient has low dermal absorption.
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 StearateButylene 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 GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella 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 ExtractEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe. It can help to reduce redness.
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 EthylhexylglycerinOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Parfum 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 ParfumPolyhydroxystearic Acid is a vegetable-derived soft wax made from castor oil. It's an emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
You'll likely see it in sunscreens because it helps disperse pigments and UV-reflecting minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide evenly.
Depending on the concentration, it can drastically change the texture of a product from pasty solid (like lipstick) to sprayable liquid.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics. The highest reported use concentration is 14.2% in lipsticks.
Learn more about Polyhydroxystearic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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