What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Acrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Sodium Surfactin
CleansingWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ceteareth-25, Centella Asiatica Extract, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Chlorphenesin, Squalane, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Ectoin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Octocrylene, Sodium Surfactin
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Ceteth-20
CleansingPEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Steareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Acetyl Glucosamine, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, 4-Butylresorcinol, Ceteth-20, PEG-75 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Steareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Hydroxide, Sodium Bisulfite, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinEthylhexyl 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.
Water. 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
