What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octocrylene 9%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Polyisobutene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Stearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin Protecting1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Octocrylene 9%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Squalane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Behenate, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Synthetic Wax, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Physalis Angulata Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Trihydroxystearin, Glucomannan, Benzyl Benzoate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyisobutene
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
Emollient
C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Stevioside
Masking2-Methylbutyric Acid
Perfuming
Barosma Betulina Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Benzaldehyde
Masking
Dimethylhydroxy Furanone
MaskingTrans-2-Hexenal
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Ethyl Acetate
Perfuming
Gamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Vanillin
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyisobutene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Ozokerite, Cetyl Alcohol, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Stevioside, 2-Methylbutyric Acid, Barosma Betulina Leaf Oil, Benzaldehyde, Dimethylhydroxy Furanone, Trans-2-Hexenal, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Ethyl Acetate, Gamma-Undecalactone, Vanillin
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePolyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobuteneTocopherol 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 TocopherolThis ingredient comes from Hydroxystearic Acid, a fatty acid, and glycerin. It is used to thicken oils.
Due to its fatty acid content, it is a natural emollient.
Creating trihydroxystearin involves using a chemical reaction between hydrogen and castor oil.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Trihydroxystearin
