This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 40.
This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octocrylene 8%
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol 6%
UV Filter
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 4.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Behenate
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Propylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMannitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Rhamnose
HumectantLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 8%, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol 6%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 4.5%, Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Behenate, Decyl Glucoside, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Mannitol, Xylitol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Ectoin, Fructooligosaccharides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rhamnose, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Octocrylene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Parfum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Neopentyl Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Propylene Glycol, Water, Rosa Centifolia Flower, Silica, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum
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 an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneOctocrylene is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that mainly absorbs UVB and short wave UVA II light.
Its real superpower is teamwork: octocrylene is remarkably photostable and is most famous for stabilizing avobenzone (the workhorse UVA filter).
This ingredient is commonly used to enhance both UVB and UVA protection due to its unique property in stabilizing avobenzone. It also pulls double duty by boosting water resistance and giving formulas a smooth, spreadable feel.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has deemed octocrylene to be safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10% (capped at 9% in propellant sprays). The US also permits it up to 10%.
Two things worth knowing:
You'll usually see this ingredient used in concentrations between 2-10% (higher amounts when used as a stabilizer for avobenzone).
Learn more about OctocryleneParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
