What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolyacrylamide
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDichlorobenzyl Alcohol
AntimicrobialPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAlumina
AbrasivePhytosphingosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSimethicone
EmollientLecithin
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Lactic Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Octocrylene, Homosalate, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Hexylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyacrylamide, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Titanium Dioxide, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Cetyl Dimethicone, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol, Plankton Extract, Parfum, Alumina, Phytosphingosine Hcl, BHT, Simethicone, Lecithin, Linalool, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lactic Acid, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberDisodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterNylon-12
Myristyl Alcohol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexyl Ferulate
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialCaffeic Acid
AntioxidantPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingCeteareth-25
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMelanin
Skin ProtectingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Glycerin
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAlumina
AbrasivePPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate
EmollientDisodium Ethylene Dicocamide PEG-15 Disulfate
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArabidopsis Thaliana Extract
AntioxidantEthyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningPanthenyl Triacetate
Parfum
MaskingSimethicone
EmollientOxothiazolidine
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Silica
AbrasiveEthyl Linoleate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOleyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Arginine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Titanium Dioxide, Hexylene Glycol, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Nylon-12, Myristyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Phenoxyethanol, Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract, Ethylhexyl Ferulate, Ferulic Acid, Caffeic Acid, Physalis Angulata Extract, Ceteareth-25, Caprylyl Glycol, Melanin, Myristyl Glucoside, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alumina, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate, Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide PEG-15 Disulfate, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine Hcl, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Panthenyl Triacetate, Parfum, Simethicone, Oxothiazolidine, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Ethyl Linoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Linalool, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaCamellia Sinensis Extract is from the oil in tea plant leaves. The leaves give us various types of tea: green, black, oolong, and white.
Camellia Sinensis leaves have many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Tea leaves also contain Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis ExtractDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.
It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.
Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.
It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinHexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 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.
We don't have a description for Phytosphingosine Hcl yet.
We don't have a description for Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract yet.
Simethicone is a silicone. It is an emollient and used to reduce foaming in a product. It is also often used to coat sunscreen ingredients for better spreadability.
This ingredient is created by mixing dimethylpolysiloxane and hydrated silica.
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water