What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 8%
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide 7%
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingCellulose
AbsorbentNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningSteareth-2
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingHomosalate 8%, Zinc Oxide 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Steareth-20, Cellulose, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Steareth-2, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Glycine Soja Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Benzoic Acid, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.8%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 9.5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.8%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingMyristic Acid
CleansingBuddleja Davidii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.8%, Homosalate 9.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.8%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Isopropyl Palmitate, Silica, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Myristic Acid, Buddleja Davidii Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a photostabilizer and a chemical UV booster. It is marketed as an alternative to octocrylene.
You'll most likely find it in sunscreens to enhance stability and effectiveness of UV filters, antioxidants, and vitamin A derivatives. According to the manufacturer, this ingredient is better than octocrylene at stabilizing avobenzone.
Due to regulation loopholes, you'll likely see this ingredient in "100% mineral" sunscreens.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycryleneEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHomosalate 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 HomosalateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water