What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Trimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione
Antioxidant
Vp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Octocrylene, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Trimethoxybenzylidene Pentanedione, Vp/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Carnosine, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 4%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 8%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMica
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientLauryl Lactate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Limonium Gerberi Extract
Skin ProtectingIron Oxides
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 4%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 8%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Mica, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Isododecane, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Phosphate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl Lactate, Coco-Caprylate, Arginine, Silica, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phospholipids, Limonium Gerberi Extract, Iron Oxides, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Pantothenic Acid, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ferulic Acid
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 Water
