What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol 6%
UV Filter
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 5%
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 2.5%
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
C20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Mannitol
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Rhamnose
HumectantLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 10%, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol 6%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 5%, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 2.5%, Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cyclopentasiloxane, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C20-22 Alcohols, Decyl Glucoside, Cyclohexasiloxane, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Mannitol, Ectoin, Fructooligosaccharides, Xylitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rhamnose, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCanola Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Tapioca Starch
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethyl Caprylate
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Citric Acid, Polyglycerin-3, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Decyl Glucoside, Canola Oil, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diglycerin, Propanediol, Myristyl Myristate, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenoxyethyl Caprylate, Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2025.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineCitric 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 AcidDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) is a hybrid and broad-spectrum UV ingredient. It is both a UV absorber and filter.
UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy. UV filters physically reduce the amount of UV rays from reaching your skin.
Tinosorb M covers a range of 280-400 nm and is photostable. This ingredient is neither oil or water soluble.
Tinosorb M is not available in the US. However, it is available in the EU and Asia.
It's sister, Tinosorb S, is set to be approved in the US by late 2025 (fingers crossed!).
Learn more about Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl TetramethylbutylphenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
