What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Octyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Zinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Methylpropanediol
SolventSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Oxidized Corn Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Sulfate
Silanetriol
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Beeswax, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Homosalate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bisabolol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Tocopherol, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Phenethyl Alcohol, Magnesium Sulfate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Methylpropanediol, Sclerotium Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oxidized Corn Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Dimethiconol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, CI 19140, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, T-Butyl Alcohol, CI 14700, Maltodextrin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Sulfate, Silanetriol, BHT, CI 17200, Glucose, Salicylic Acid, CI 42090, Sodium Hydroxide, Chondrus Crispus Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 4%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 4%
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 4%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 3%
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 2%
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Methylpropanediol
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylpropanol
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 4%, Octocrylene 4%, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 4%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 3%, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 2%, Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Methylpropanediol, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pvp, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenylpropanol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTYou might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, Asia, Canada, and recently approved for use by the US in mid-2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterEthylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
