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
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylglycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tranexamic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Decyl Glucoside, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Triethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
