What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolysilicone-15
UV Filter
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Palm Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Glycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Acid
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Pentylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-16 Alcohols, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polysilicone-15, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Zinc Oxide, Palm Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ectoin, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Squalane, Sodium Polyacrylate, Bisabolol, Helianthus Annuus Seed, Silica, Glycine Soja Lipids, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acacia Senegal Gum, Hippophae Rhamnoides Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Triacontanyl Pvp
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Isopentyldiol, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceteareth-25, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diisopropyl Adipate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Triacontanyl Pvp, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Sodium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Allantoin, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 TriazineC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a lightweight emollient made by combinig benzoic acid with fatty alcohols that are 12-15 carbons long.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The Cosmetic Review Expert Panel has concluded the alkyl benzoate group to be safe as used in cosmetics; it wasn't found to be a skin irritant and unlikely to be absorbed due to its low water solubility.
This report recorded almost 1000 reported uses with concentrations up to 59% in leave-on products but your cosmetics will typically use 0.5-15% depending on the product.
It's often called a "SPF booster": this is because it keeps UV filters properly dissolved and evenly distributed to support a sunscreen's performance. It doesn't actually raise SPF on its own.
Overall, this ingredient is well tolerated.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because it is an ester of benzoic acid.
Think of this ingredient as two parts stuck together: an oily part and an acid part. Malassezia only gets a meal when it can snip off a fatty acid to eat. With C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, the acid part is benzoic acid, which isn't a fatty acid and which the yeast can't use as food.
Benzoic acid is actually used as a preservative to stop yeast from growing.
The oily part is a blend of C12-15 fatty alcohols but fatty alcohols in this size range can support only a little Malassezia growth (mostly for one species of Malassezia as well).
In the ingredient, those alcohols stay locked inside the molecule. The yeast can only reach them by snipping the benzoate bond, and that type of bond is harder for it to cut than a normal fatty bond.
So not much gets released. And whatever does get snipped comes packaged with benzoic acid, which discourages yeast growth.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazonePotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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 Water
