What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyisobutene
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Dibehenate
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Parfum
Masking
Tribehenin
Emollient
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Squalane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Octyldodecanol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, CI 77891, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Synthetic Beeswax, Parfum, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Behenate, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, CI 45410, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, CI 77491, CI 77492, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Lanolin
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Cera Alba
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Erigeron Annuus Flower Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Aroma
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTin Oxide
Abrasive
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 45410
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantLanolin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Cera Alba, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Erigeron Annuus Flower Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Aroma, Tocopherol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 45410, CI 77491
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 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCI 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye.
It often goes by both Red 28 or Red 27; manufacturers label both ingredients as CI 45410.
This dye is commonly found in makeup because it imparts a vivid color. Some types of this dye change color based on pH level and interaction with moisture:
Your skin has a natural pH of around 4.5 - 5.5.
According to the FDA, CI 45410 is not permitted for use in eye products.
Red 27 is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.
Learn more about CI 45410Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Octocrylene is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that mainly absorbs UVB and short wave UVA II light.
Its real superpower is teamwork: octocrylene is remarkably photostable and is most famous for stabilizing avobenzone (the workhorse UVA filter).
This ingredient is commonly used to enhance both UVB and UVA protection due to its unique property in stabilizing avobenzone. It also pulls double duty by boosting water resistance and giving formulas a smooth, spreadable feel.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has deemed octocrylene to be safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10% (capped at 9% in propellant sprays). The US also permits it up to 10%.
Two things worth knowing:
You'll usually see this ingredient used in concentrations between 2-10% (higher amounts when used as a stabilizer for avobenzone).
Learn more about OctocryleneThis ingredient is also known as castor oil. It is a skin conditioning ingredient.
The star component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, an unusual fatty acid that makes up ~80-92% of its composition.
In skincare, it is an emollient that dries down to a solid film with water-binding properties. This helps keep skin hydrated and helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
A 2026 dermatology review pulls together its broader uses:
Human clinical testing found this ingredient to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Because castor oil contains fatty acids in the C11-24 range, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
At this time, the literature does not support castor oil in regrowing hair. A 2022 systematic review found no strong evidence that it supports hair growth and only weak evidence that it improves hair shine.
Castor oil itself carries "perfuming" and "masking" function tags according to the official CosIng database. This is because of its mild odor and odor-dampening properties.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
