What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 15%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHyaluronic Acid
HumectantNiacin
SmoothingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Octocrylene
UV AbsorberBenzyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPortulaca Pilosa Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingStevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Powder
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Ergothioneine
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingAroma
Homosalate 15%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Ceramide AP, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Octocrylene, Benzyl Nicotinate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Sucrose Cocoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Powder, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Glutathione, Ergothioneine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Panthenol, Mentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Aroma
Homosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 2.5%
UV AbsorberPolybutene
Octyldodecanol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingPolyethylene
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingAroma
Silica Silylate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantCI 12085
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2.5%, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cera Microcristallina, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aroma, Silica Silylate, Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, CI 15850, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake, CI 15985, CI 19140, CI 45380, CI 73360, CI 12085, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaAlso 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 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 SalicylateHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneTocopheryl 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 Acetate