What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTapioca Starch
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberIsobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol
BleachingGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucosylrutin
AntioxidantIsoquercitrin
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Homosalate, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tapioca Starch, Distarch Phosphate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Isobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Tocopherol, Glucosylrutin, Isoquercitrin, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethyl Caprylate
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberC12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningAframomum Melegueta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Tapioca Starch
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
PEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenoxyethyl Caprylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Glycerin, Parfum, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Squalane, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Arginine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Aframomum Melegueta Seed Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Tapioca Starch, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
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 better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Salicylate (also called Octisalate or Octyl Salicylate) is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that's been used in sunscreen since the 1950's.
It absorbs UVB light in the 280-320 nm range with a peak absorbance around 306 nm.
You'll often see it paired with other UV filters to boost overall SPF because octisalate is a fairly week filter on its own.
The reason you'll see it so often is because it can help solubilize and stabilize the trickier filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone.
Unlike these filters, octisalate has pretty good photostability and doesn't create skin-damaging free radicals when exposed to sunlight.
The fatty-alcohol part of the molecule also gives it a light, emollient feel so it doubles as a nice texture enhancer.
Usage levels vary around the world:
Safety-wise, this ingredient has a pretty reassuring track record. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) found very low skin penetration in human skin tests and negative results for irritation, phototoxicity, and photoallergy.
The real-world allergy risk is pretty low too; a 2012 European study of 1,031 people recorded only 2 reactions to it (a rate of 0.19%).
You might have seen scary headlines about sunscreen getting into your blood.
In 2019, the FDA found that several chemical filters can absorb through the skin and show up in the bloodstream at small but measurable levels.
Here's the important part: these tiny levels are just a cutoff the FDA uses to decide which ingredients need more testing and doesn't mean anything harmful was found.
The researchers were clear that the results are no reason to stop wearing sunscreen.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTapioca starch is a thickening agent and is made from the cassava root, also known as yucca.
According to a manufacturer, it is an excellent talc replacement.
It is gluten-free.
Learn more about Tapioca StarchWater. 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 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