What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Water, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Silica, Coco-Caprylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Polysilicone-15, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Linoleic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Linolenic Acid
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-100 Stearate
Isododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingOleth-10
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Zeolite
AbsorbentAlgae Extract
Emollient
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Laureth-23
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tridecyl Stearate
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, PEG-100 Stearate, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyethylene, Phenoxyethanol, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Oleth-10, Chlorphenesin, Stearyl Alcohol, Zeolite, Algae Extract, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Potassium Sorbate, Pvp, Hexylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tridecyl Stearate, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, CI 19140, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, CI 15985, Sodium Benzoate, CI 17200
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 GlycolCetearyl 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 SalicylatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
