What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-40
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogen Dimethicone
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer
Isohexadecane
EmollientOrange Roughy Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-40, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propanediol, PEG-40 Stearate, Zinc Oxide, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Orange Roughy Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Polyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Trehalose
Humectant
Trimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Kaolin
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Lecithin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Octocrylene, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Laureth-7, Oryza Sativa Extract, Trehalose, Trimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Kaolin, Propanediol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, DMDM Hydantoin, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Reviews
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 an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneThis ingredient is also known as Octinoxate and is one of the oldest and most widely used chemical UV filters in skincare.
It has a simple job: soap up UVB radiation (290-320 nm), the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and a big chunk of long-term sun damage.
In formulas, it's always paired with a separate UVA filter because octinoxate solely protects skin from UVB.
Because it's an oil-soluble liquid, it's easy to blend into the oil phase of lotions/creams and gives a cosmetically elegant feel.
The one quirk about formulating this ingredient is photostability; the molecule slowly changes shape into a less effective version when sunlight hits it. So the longer you're in the sun, the weaker its protection gets. The drop can be more than 30% in some formulas.
It also doesn't play nice with Avobenzone (the common UVA filter) since avobenzone destabilizes octinoxate and the two degrade each other. But don't worry: brands have solved this issue by adding photostabilizers like Tinosorb S to prevent degradation and keep SPF stable under heavy UV exposure.
The maximum allowed level is 10% in the EU and Australia, 7.5% in the US and Canada, and 20% in Japan.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe in cosmetics up to 10%.
One last thing worth knowing for context:
Octinoxate has been the subject of ongoing review in Europe where the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety's (SCCS) 2025 final opinion is that this ingredient is an endocrine-active substance.
Lab and animal studies suggest it can act a bit like a hormone in the body (mildly mimicking estrogen and slightly blocking male hormones). It's important to know this hasn't really been shown to happen in everyday human use.
This ingredient is also banned in Hawaii over coral reef concerns.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneOctocrylene is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that mainly absorbs UVB and short wave UVA II light.
Its real superpower is teamwork: octocrylene is remarkably photostable and is most famous for stabilizing avobenzone (the workhorse UVA filter).
This ingredient is commonly used to enhance both UVB and UVA protection due to its unique property in stabilizing avobenzone. It also pulls double duty by boosting water resistance and giving formulas a smooth, spreadable feel.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has deemed octocrylene to be safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10% (capped at 9% in propellant sprays). The US also permits it up to 10%.
Two things worth knowing:
You'll usually see this ingredient used in concentrations between 2-10% (higher amounts when used as a stabilizer for avobenzone).
Learn more about OctocrylenePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
