What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
SmoothingDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingSerine
MaskingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPhenylpropanol
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
PEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Algin
MaskingPullulan
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPropylene Carbonate
SolventDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Trisiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Diisopropyl Adipate, Caprylyl Methicone, Titanium Dioxide, Niacinamide, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Trehalose, Urea, Serine, Plankton Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Phenylpropanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Algin, Pullulan, Disodium Phosphate, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Phosphate, Propylene Carbonate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPolypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterChlamydomonas Reinhardtii Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientPhenylpropanol
MaskingPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriisopropanolamine
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arginine, Phenethyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Propylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Phenylpropanol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Cetyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triisopropanolamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexyl Salicylate (also called Octisalate or Octyl Salicylate) is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that's been used in sunscreen since the 1950's.
It absorbs UVB light in the 280-320 nm range with a peak absorbance around 306 nm.
You'll often see it paired with other UV filters to boost overall SPF because octisalate is a fairly week filter on its own.
The reason you'll see it so often is because it can help solubilize and stabilize the trickier filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone.
Unlike these filters, octisalate has pretty good photostability and doesn't create skin-damaging free radicals when exposed to sunlight.
The fatty-alcohol part of the molecule also gives it a light, emollient feel so it doubles as a nice texture enhancer.
Usage levels vary around the world:
Safety-wise, this ingredient has a pretty reassuring track record. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) found very low skin penetration in human skin tests and negative results for irritation, phototoxicity, and photoallergy.
The real-world allergy risk is pretty low too; a 2012 European study of 1,031 people recorded only 2 reactions to it (a rate of 0.19%).
You might have seen scary headlines about sunscreen getting into your blood.
In 2019, the FDA found that several chemical filters can absorb through the skin and show up in the bloodstream at small but measurable levels.
Here's the important part: these tiny levels are just a cutoff the FDA uses to decide which ingredients need more testing and doesn't mean anything harmful was found.
The researchers were clear that the results are no reason to stop wearing sunscreen.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenethyl Benzoate is a fragrance.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Phenylpropanol is a fragrance.
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract can help to reduce redness.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopherol 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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