What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAlcohol
AntimicrobialC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberTriacontanyl Pvp
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Disodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Octocrylene, Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Triacontanyl Pvp, Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Galactoarabinan, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Cellulose Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Distarch Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dibutyl Adipate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Myristyl Myristate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Glycerin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl 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 GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidSodium 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. 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 Gum