What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 3.5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 4%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 3.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2%, Octocrylene 4%, Water, Diisopropyl Adipate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Starch, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Gluconolactone, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zea Mays Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingDimethiconol
Emollient
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Panthenol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethiconol, Carnosine, Gluconolactone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Propylene Glycol, Pantolactone, Tocopherol
Reviews
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is more gentle than ascorbic acid. It is also more stable when exposed to light and oxygen.
Vitamin C helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Your skin uses Vitamin C to produce collagen and collagen production plays a role in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. As an antioxidant, this ingredient also helps reduce the signs of aging such as fine-lines and wrinkles.
VItamin C helps brighten skin by blocking the process of skin darkening.
In a 2011 study, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate was found to have antibacterial properties. This may help treat acne.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium 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. 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
