What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ethyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Pentylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Tocopherol, Bioflavonoids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Tromethamine, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Ethyl Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethylene Glycol
Masking
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tetrasodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Triethylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lecithin, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
