What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Methylpropanediol
SolventMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, BHT, Sodium Polyacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Silica, Dimethicone, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Butylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Lauroyl Lysine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Collagen
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSilica, 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 SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
