What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeSilver Chloride
PreservativeWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Titanium Dioxide, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Piroctone Olamine, Silver Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCereus Grandiflorus Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Carex Humillis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientAscidian Tunic Extract
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingIsoceteth-25
EmulsifyingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Octocrylene, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Octyldodecanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cereus Grandiflorus Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycine Soja Lipids, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Carex Humillis Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Cellulose Gum, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Ascidian Tunic Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Isoceteth-10, Isoceteth-25
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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.
Ethylhexyl 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 StearateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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