What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Diisopropyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingThiotaurine
AntioxidantPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingHydrogen Dimethicone
Beheneth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingCI 77120
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Zinc Oxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Chloride, Thiotaurine, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Triazone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Beheneth-20, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Trifluoropropyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, CI 77120
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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