What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Lecithin
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 42090, Dextrin Palmitate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Parfum
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl 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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateEthylhexyl 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopherol 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
