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 Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
C20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingRhamnose
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, 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
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pullulan
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Iron Oxides
Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Water, CI 77163, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Mica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Isododecane, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Pullulan, Lysolecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrated Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate isn't fungal acne safe.
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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
