What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientCitrus Aurantifolia Flower Extract
AstringentCetearyl Olivate
Sea Water
HumectantPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNylon-12
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPyrus Malus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
PEG-100 Stearate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPrunus Avium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Citrus Aurantifolia Flower Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Sea Water, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Nylon-12, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pyrus Malus Flower Extract, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate-13, Panthenol, Polyisobutene, PEG-100 Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sorbitan Stearate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Prunus Avium Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 20, BHT, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingTetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Fumaric Acid
BufferingMaleic Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Aspartic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Fumaric Acid, Maleic Acid, Malic 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.
You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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