What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV Absorber
Acrylates Copolymer
Polyacrylamide
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propylene Glycol, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Laureth-7, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Triethylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Haberlea Rhodopensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, 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
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamatePanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
