What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polysorbate 61
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSucrose Tristearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Allantoin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Ceramide NP, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polysorbate 61, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Tristearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Water, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNylon-12
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Gluconic Acid
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Homosalate, Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Ethylhexanoate, Nylon-12, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Caffeine, Biotin, Oleanolic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, Niacinamide, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Gluconic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Citral
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
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 SalicylatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumZinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.
This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.
