What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.75%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Methyl Dihydroabietate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polysilicone-11
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 1.75%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2%, Octocrylene 5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Squalane, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Tropolone, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Palmitate, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Oleate, Gluconolactone, Silica, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.75%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 4.25%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.8%
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-2 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.75%, Benzophenone-3 4.25%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2.8%, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Allantoin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Benzoic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Water
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 GlycerinOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Water. 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
