What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPolymethyl Methacrylate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberCetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Lecithin
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantHaberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Glycerin, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingDibutyl Adipate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysilicone-15
UV FilterGlycerin
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ceramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPrunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ProtectingCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Vinyldimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Diisopropyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polysilicone-15, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Prunella Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Oleanolic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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 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