What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentJojoba Esters
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAcacia Decurrens Extract
AstringentPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPantolactone
HumectantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Octocrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Carnosine, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Boron Nitride, Acacia Decurrens Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Pantolactone
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberTrimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientCannabidiol - Synthetically Produced
AntioxidantWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propanediol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Trimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tocopherol, Carnosine, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Boron Nitride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Behenate, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Cannabidiol - Synthetically Produced
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateBoron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCarnosine is a dipeptide made from two amino acids.
This ingredient helps:
Glycation is the process of sugars binding to and damaging proteins. Too much sugar in our skin can lead to damaged collagen, contributing to factors of aging.
Carnosine is water-soluble and is not able to travel deeper layers of skin. This leads to some doubt about whether it can boost collagen in skin, since collagen is located in the deeper layers of skin.
Fun fact: Carnosine can be naturally found in our muscles and brain.
Learn more about CarnosineEthylhexyl 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 (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidSodium 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 HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Tocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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