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
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientC18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Oil
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vanillin
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningErythritol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Methyl Dihydroabietate
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Ozokerite, Cetyl Alcohol, Vanillin, Glyceryl Stearate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Erythritol, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Tocopherol, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Trihydroxystearin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 15850
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyisobutene
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
Emollient
C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Stevioside
Masking2-Methylbutyric Acid
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Benzaldehyde
Masking
Dimethylhydroxy Furanone
MaskingTrans-2-Hexenal
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Ethyl Acetate
Perfuming
Gamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Vanillin
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyisobutene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Ozokerite, Cetyl Alcohol, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Stevioside, 2-Methylbutyric Acid, Barosma Betulina Leaf Oil, Benzaldehyde, Dimethylhydroxy Furanone, Trans-2-Hexenal, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Ethyl Acetate, Gamma-Undecalactone, Vanillin
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 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateThis ingredient is a fatty-acid ester commonly used in makeup. It is use an emollient and emulsifier, and insoluble in water.
According to a manufacturer, it is a waxy solid and prevents other waxes from crystallizing.
It is created from stearic acid.
Learn more about C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl StearateCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHomosalate 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 HomosalateHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneOzokerite is a naturally occuring mineral wax. In cosmetics, ozokerite is used as a texture enhancer.
Ceresin wax is derived from this ingredient.
The melting point of ozokerite is 58-100 C.
Ozokerite is found all over the world including Scotland, the US, and India.
Learn more about OzokeriteTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolThis ingredient comes from Hydroxystearic Acid, a fatty acid, and glycerin. It is used to thicken oils.
Due to its fatty acid content, it is a natural emollient.
Creating trihydroxystearin involves using a chemical reaction between hydrogen and castor oil.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about TrihydroxystearinVanillin is the main compound of the vanilla bean. It is naturally occuring but can also be artificially created.
This ingredient exhibits antioxidant properties but is also a known skin-irritant.
Vanillism is the term of contact-dermatitis associated with the vanilla plant. The sap of the vanilla plant triggers skin irritation, swelling, and redness.
Learn more about Vanillin
