Here's our breakdown of the notable ingredients, benefits, and concerns we determined from the ingredients in this product. Click any item to learn more.

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)

Vitamin E

Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Irritating (2)

Rosacea

Eczema

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

Ingredients Overview

Here's our quick-to-read summary of the ingredients in this product. Keep scrolling if you'd like to learn more about what each ingredient does!

Ingredient

Com. / Irr. Rating

Features

Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning

Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1 / 0

Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter

1 / 0

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

0 / 0

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Abrasive

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Skin Conditioning

Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter

0 / 0

Skin Conditioning

Emulsifying

Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Buffering, Masking

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

0-3 / 0-3

Emulsion Stabilising

Solvent

Perfuming, Solvent

Emollient, Humectant, Skin Protecting

Preservative

Ingredients Explained

This product contains 29 ingredients. Click on any ingredient to learn more about it

Arbutin

What it does: Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

Arbutin is derived from the bearberry plant. It helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.

This ingredient has the ability to block tyrosinase, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening. When applied to the skin, arbutin works at a slow pace. This can make it less irritating than similar ingredients.

Kojic Acid is a similar ingredient.

Learn more about Arbutin

Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Soothing

We don't have a description for Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Cyclopentasiloxane

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

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.

D5 is 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 Cyclopentasiloxane

Butylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Zinc Oxide

What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Liked

Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.

Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.

Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.

Learn more about Zinc Oxide

Ethyl Polysilicate

What it does:

We don't have a description for Ethyl Polysilicate.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate.

Polyethylene

What it does: Abrasive

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.

Polyethylene is also typically used within product formulations to help bind solid ingredients together and thicken oil-based ingredients. When added to balms and emulsions, it helps increase the melting point temperature.

Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment.

Glycine Soja Extract

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Glycine Soja Extract comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.

Soybeans are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants may improve the signs of aging.

Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.

Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.

Learn more about Glycine Soja Extract

Titanium Dioxide

What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Community Rating: Mixed

Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.

Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.

With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.

Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.

Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.

Learn more about Titanium Dioxide

Succinic Anhydride

What it does:

We don't have a description for Succinic Anhydride.

Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters

What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters.

Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester

What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester.

Alcohol Denat.

What it does: Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.

Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.

One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.

Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

Learn more about Alcohol Denat.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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

Citric Acid

What it does: Buffering, Masking

Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Glycerin Methyl Ether

What it does:

We don't have a description for Glycerin Methyl Ether.

Gellan Gum

What it does:

Community Rating: Disliked

Gellan Gum is a high-molecular weight heteropolysaccharide gum. It is created by the process of pure-culture fermentation with the bacterium Pseudomonas elodea.

Gellan Gum is used to stabilize products. This helps improve the texture, consistency, and shelf life.

Tocopherol

What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Polyacrylic Acid

What it does: Emulsion Stabilising

We don't have a description for Polyacrylic Acid.

Peg-6 Methyl Ether

What it does: Solvent

We don't have a description for Peg-6 Methyl Ether.

Methyl Hexyl Ether

What it does: Perfuming, Solvent

Methyl Hexyl Ether is a fragrance.

Methyl/Phenyl Polysilsesquioxane

What it does:

Methyl/Phenyl Polysilsesquioxane is a type of silicone.

Aluminum Hydroxide

What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Protecting

Community Rating: Disliked

Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.

As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.

According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.

In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.

Learn more about Aluminum Hydroxide

Dimethylhydrogensiloxy Phenyl Polysilsesquioxane

What it does:

Dimethylhydrogensiloxy Phenyl Polysilsesquioxane is a type of silicone.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

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