What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Citric Acid
BufferingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCanola Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMyristyl Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethyl 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
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingPhenylpropanol
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylpropanediol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dibutyl Adipate, Squalane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Decyl Glucoside, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Glycine, Phenylpropanol, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
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 TriazineCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDecyl 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 GlucosideDiethylamino 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 Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexyl 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 TriazoneMethylene 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 TetramethylbutylphenolPropylene 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 GlycolWater. 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