What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMethyl Methacrylate
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberMethoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexanediol
SolventDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol Denat., Methyl Methacrylate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Methoxy PEG/PPG-25/4 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying4-Ethylresorcinol
AntimicrobialGlutathione
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-75 Stearate
SurfactantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingCeteth-20
CleansingPEG-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Carbonate
BufferingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingWater, Octocrylene, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Glucoside, 4-Ethylresorcinol, Glutathione, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-20, Ceteth-20, PEG-4 Laurate, Sodium Carbonate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, T-Butyl Alcohol, BHT, Sodium Chloride
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 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 OctocryleneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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