What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Sodium Polyglutamate, Ethyl Ferulate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Sclareolide
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Cetearyl Olivate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dipropylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Saccharide Isomerate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Chlorphenesin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, BHT, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Trideceth-9, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 60, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Sclareolide, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractWater. 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
