What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7.2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Steareth-100
Gel FormingPhenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
PEG-32
HumectantPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7.2%, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-100, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, PEG-32, Palmitic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Papain, Myristic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Ceramide AP
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.75%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Callus Culture Extract
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ferric Hexapeptide-35
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Rosa Moschata Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tbhq
Antioxidant
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTeprenone
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octocrylene 2.75%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Zea Mays Oil, Polyester-8, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polysilicone-15, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Vitis Vinifera Callus Culture Extract, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Caffeine, Diatomaceous Earth, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ferric Hexapeptide-35, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tbhq, Phenylpropanol, Lecithin, Sodium Hydroxide, Teprenone, Proline, Sorbitol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491, Mica
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCeramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
Learn more about Ceramide APDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 (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 GlycerinOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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
