What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethyl Methacrylate
PPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Armillaria Matsutake Extract
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentLimonia Acidissima Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterPhenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Propanediol, Ectoin, Armillaria Matsutake Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrated Silica, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ergothioneine, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Cistus Monspeliensis Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Nephelium Lappaceum Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glucose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropylene Carbonate
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Succinate
BufferingWater, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dibutyl Adipate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cistus Monspeliensis Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Ergothioneine, Ectoin, Nephelium Lappaceum Peel Extract, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Maltodextrin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Glucose, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acrylates Copolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propylene Carbonate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Succinate
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 an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEctoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.
When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.
Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:
A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.
Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.
In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:
Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.
Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.
The chemical name for this ingredient is Tetrahydromethylpyrimidine Carboxylic Acid.
Learn more about EctoinErgothioneine is an amino acid found naturally in mushrooms, grains, and meat. It has antioxidant and skin soothing properties.
This amino acid helps with:
- Maintaining DNA stability and cell reproduction
- Enhances cellular immunity
- Skin brightening
- Anti-aging
- Skin soothing
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene 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 GlycolWater. 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
