What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
Tribehenin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberDimethiconol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeAcrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer, Tribehenin, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Dimethiconol, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Parfum, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 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 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneMethylene 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 TetramethylbutylphenolOctocrylene 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 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.