What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Polyethylene

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Homosalate

Skin Conditioning
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Silicon IconGood for Oily Skin Icon

Dibutyl Adipate

Emollient

Caprylyl Methicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate

Emollient
0 / 0 May worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Octocrylene

UV Absorber
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Ceresin

Emulsion Stabilising
0 / 0

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Coconut Derived Icon

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Skin Conditioning
UV Protection IconChemical UV Filter Icon

Ozokerite

Emulsion Stabilising

Silica Silylate

Emollient
Good for Oily Skin Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Polypropylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Synthetic Wax

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Oily Skin Icon

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Skin Conditioning
Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Octyldodecanol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Emulsifying
May worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Silicon Icon

Alumina

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconMay worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables

Emollient
Oil IconMay worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Xylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 UV Protection IconMineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 
Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.

It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.

Another pro?

It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.

That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.

Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).

On maximum concentrations:

In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older

Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl 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 Methicone
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Dibutyl 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 Adipate

Diethylamino 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 Benzoate

Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.

When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.

If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

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