What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrasodium EDTA
Glycerin
HumectantHydrated Silica
AbrasiveHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingRice Bran Wax Ethyl Esters
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492, Phenoxyethanol, Water, Pvp, Rice Bran Wax Ethyl Esters, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Titanium Dioxide, Triacontanyl Pvp
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTapioca Starch
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingAlumina
AbrasiveWater, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tapioca Starch, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethanolamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77499, Decylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Alumina
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 BenzoateCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Saccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water