What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Amylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
BHT
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Salicylic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Zinc Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Chlorphenesin, BHT, Bisabolol, Dimethicone, Lecithin
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Geranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Algae Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone 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 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 MethoxycinnamateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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 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
