What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octocrylene 7.1%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Olivate
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
Abrasive
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantOctocrylene 7.1%, Water, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Mica, Cetearyl Olivate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Bisabolol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 16035, CI 19140
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dihydroxyacetone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Isohexadecane, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Silk, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 ButterCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateOctocrylene 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.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopheryl 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
