What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethylene Glycol
Masking
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tetrasodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Triethylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lecithin, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dimethicone
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Steareth-100
Gel FormingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Steareth-100, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Carbomer, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Pentylene Glycol, Ubiquinone, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Carnosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazonePhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
