What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Kaolin
Abrasive
Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate/Sebacate Crosspolymer
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAlgin
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pullulan
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Isoamyl Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Kaolin, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate/Sebacate Crosspolymer, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Carnosine, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytic Acid, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Sodium Chloride, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Hydroxylauroyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Heptanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Propylene Glycol Diheptanoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydroxylauroyl Phytosphingosine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Heptanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateThis is a chemical sunscreen ingredient. It protects skin against UV-A rays (320-350 nm).
Key characteristics of this ingredient include high photo-stability and water-solubility. Being water-soluble allows it to create non-oily sunscreens.
It is approved for up to 10% in the EU and Asia. However, it is pending approval in the US and Canada.
Learn more about Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole TetrasulfonateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlyceryl 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 StearatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThis 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 AcidPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate isn't fungal acne safe.
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Sodium 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 HydroxideSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an amino-acid based emulsifier. It is made by combining stearic acid with L-glutamic acid and neutralizing it to a sodium salt.
As an emulsifier, it works mainly as an oil-in-water one and helps keep the oil and water in your formulas blended. It also contributes to a smooth, non-greasy skin feel.
This ingredient is biodegradable and commonly available in natural/COSMOS-certified grades.
Learn more about Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateWater. 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 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
