What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-15 Cocamine
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Water
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Triethanolamine
BufferingCera Alba
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cocoglycerides, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-15 Cocamine, PEG-40 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Water, Tapioca Starch, Triethanolamine, Cera Alba
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Seyal Gum
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Silica
Abrasive
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSolvent Violet 13
Cera Alba
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Octocrylene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acacia Seyal Gum, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, CI 42090, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Silica, Decyl Glucoside, Decylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthyl Lactate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Solvent Violet 13, Cera Alba, 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.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.
As an emollient, beeswax helps hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating. This helps create consistent texture.
The structure of beeswax is mainly long-chain alcohols and the esters of fatty acids.
There are three types of beeswax: yellow, white, and absolute. Yellow is pure beeswax taken from the honeycomb. White beeswax is created by filtering or bleaching yellow beeswax. Absolute beeswax is created by treating beeswax with alcohol. Beeswax used in cosmetics are purified.
Beeswax has been used throughout history and even in prehistoric times. Some common uses for beeswax still used today are making candles, as a waterproofing agent, and polish for leather.
Learn more about Cera AlbaCetyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneHomosalate 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 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
