What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7.2%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSteareth-100
Gel FormingStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMyristic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingFish Oil
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7.2%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Steareth-100, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Fish Oil
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingEthyl Oleate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Polyacrylate-13
Ethyl Stearate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolyisobutene
Stearic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthyl Linoleate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethyl Palmitate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButyloctanol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantFarnesol
PerfumingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Amyl Cinnamal
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Niacinamide, Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Squalane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Ethyl Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Polysilicone-11, Polyacrylate-13, Ethyl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Polyisobutene, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Parfum, Allantoin, Ethyl Linoleate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Disodium EDTA, Ethyl Palmitate, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butyloctanol, Propanediol, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Farnesol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Glucan, Glutathione, Amyl Cinnamal, Eugenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
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 a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
As an emollient, palmitic acid helps soften and smooth the skin by preventing water loss. In cleansers, it helps remove oil and dirt while creating foam.
Its emulsifying properties help stabilize products by keeping water and oil-based ingredients from separating.
This may not be suitable for fungal acne-prone skin, as fatty acids like this can sometimes trigger breakouts in sensitive individuals.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidParfum 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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. 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