What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPiroctone Olamine
Preservative
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Silver Chloride
Preservative
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Piroctone Olamine, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Silica, Disodium Phosphate, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Silver Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium EDTA
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Cetyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium EDTA, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride
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 a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
