What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 8%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTriethanolamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 8%, Water, Cera Alba, 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
Drometrizole Trisiloxane 7%
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 2%
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 0.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Perlite
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDrometrizole Trisiloxane 7%, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 2%, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 0.5%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Propanediol, Perlite, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateHomosalate 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 HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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 Water
