What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Myristyl Alcohol, Myristyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Decyl Glucoside, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
Abrasive
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Vinyldimethicone
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Synthetic Wax, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dibutyl Adipate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysilicone-15, Vinyldimethicone, Ozokerite, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Water, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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
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 MethiconeCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateDibutyl Adipate is a lightweight, oil-soluble ester that acts as an emollient and solvent. It helps products spread more easily and leaves a soft, silky, dry-touch finish without being greasy.
You'll likely see this ingredient in sunscreens because it does a nice job dissolving UV filters and keeping them evenly distributed.
This ingredient has been found to be safe as used in cosmetics, wasn't a skin or eye irritant in clinical patch testing, and wasn't phototoxic.
In a clinical comedogenicity test, this ingredient tested negative so it isn't likely to clog pores.
Typical use levels are about 5-8% for sunscreens + nail products, but can range from 0.005%-8% depending on the product.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino 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 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 TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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
