What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butane
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientHomosalate
Skin ConditioningDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Octocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingDodecene
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Laurate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeLauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButane, Water, Dicaprylyl Ether, Homosalate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, P-Anisic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Dodecene, Phenoxyethanol, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, PEG-8 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Poloxamer 407, Isododecane, Isostearyl Alcohol, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Glycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsohexadecane
EmollientAluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventOctyldodecanol
EmollientParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasiveEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingGlycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Aluminum Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Propanediol, Octyldodecanol, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Alumina, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Lipids, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ethylhexylglycerin, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf 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.
Ethylhexyl 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 HomosalateThis ingredient comes as a powder made up of small, porous, microbeads. It is used to add a silky feel to products and also helps absorb oil.
Octocrylene 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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