What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentArginine
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
Solvent
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Cellulose Acetate
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMannitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantRhamnose
HumectantPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Lysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, CI 77891, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cetyl Phosphate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Pentylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Arginine, CI 77492, Propanediol, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Cellulose Acetate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Magnesium Stearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Citric Acid, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77491, Mannitol, Xylitol, O-Cymen-5-Ol, CI 77499, Rhamnose, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPhenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine
Stabilising
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIron Oxides
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Phytate
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Oryza Sativa Starch, Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Alumina, Azelaic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron Oxides, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Phytate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 77891, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum
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 2026.
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 TriazineC12-15 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 BenzoateCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric 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 AcidDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
