What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantBee Venom
AstringentDimethicone/Methicone Copolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Niacinamide
SmoothingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberHydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingIron Oxides
Parfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeBisabolol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone
Skin ProtectingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Lauroyl Lysine, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Bee Venom, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer, Octocrylene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Olivate, Iron Oxides, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77499, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingEDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Decyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Saccharide Isomerate, C15-19 Alkane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Phenoxyethanol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Parfum, EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium 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.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water