What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tapioca Starch
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Carrageenan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dibutyl Adipate, Distarch Phosphate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tapioca Starch, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Silica, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethyl Caprylate
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
C12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
PEG-100 Stearate
Arginine
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenoxyethyl Caprylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineCetearyl 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 AlcoholDibutyl Adipate is an emollient and solvent. It is created from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.
As a solvent, Dibutyl Adipate helps mix and disperse ingredients evenly.
Dibutyl Adipate is soluble in water and organic solvents. It does not absorb UV rays.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
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 GlycerinThis 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 HydroxideWater. 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
