This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Alanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Oligopeptide-177
Phenylalanine
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Propanediol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Sodium Phytate, Polyglycerin-3, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, Plankton Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Potassium Sorbate, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyether-1
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract, Water, Honey Extract, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polysilicone-15, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyether-1, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
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 better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlyceryl 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 StearateHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneSilica, 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
