What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 10%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 8%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 8%, Water, Beeswax, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-100 Stearate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningMethyl Dihydroxybenzoate
Propylparaben
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Diisopropyl Adipate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Water, Methyl Dihydroxybenzoate, Propylparaben, 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.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Citric 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 AcidEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateIsopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitateWater. 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 Water