What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 7.5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantPolyethylene
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Caramel, Polyethylene, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Chloride
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 7%
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene 5%
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsobutane
Isododecane
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientLauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Phenylisopropyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate/Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Crosspolymer
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMethyl Dihydroabietate
Parfum
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 7%, Octocrylene 5%, Alcohol Denat., Isobutane, Isododecane, Diisopropyl Adipate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Phenylisopropyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate/Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Reviews
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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