What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glyceryl Behenate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Benzophenone-3, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Phospholipids, Sodium Gluconate, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPropylene Glycol
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberTriethanolamine
BufferingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Benzophenone-4, Triethanolamine, Zinc Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Triethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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