What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propanediol, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carnosine, Tocopherol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingBisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Octocrylene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Bisabolol, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Silica, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, DMDM Hydantoin, Tocopherol
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
