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
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Tribehenin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Acrylates Copolymer, Tribehenin, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Panthenol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylparaben, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylparaben, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dipropylene Glycol
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 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 SalicylateOctocrylene 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.
Tocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
