What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBrassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin ConditioningC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEctoin
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRhamnose
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientFructooligosaccharides
HumectantPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Glycerin, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, C20-22 Alcohols, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ectoin, Mannitol, Xylitol, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Sodium Hydroxide, Rhamnose, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Fructooligosaccharides, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 13%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 10%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasiveCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
PEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 13%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Niacinamide, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-8 Laurate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinTocopherol 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 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