What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberHexyl Laurate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentChlorella Minutissima Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-15
UV Filter1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Alcohol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Hexyl Laurate, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Chlorella Minutissima Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-15
UV FilterCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Isohexadecane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Oleate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is better known as bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S and is one of the best broad-spectrum UV filters in modern sunscreen.
It works by absorbing UV light across a whole range (280-400 nm) with peaks around 310 nm (UVB) and 340-345 nm (UVA). This means it covers UVB plus the deeper UVA wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigmentation.
Another pro?
It's exceptionally photostable, barely degrades in sunlight, and acts as a "bodyguard" for less stable filters.
That's why you'll see it paired with avobenzone or octinoxate; this team up ensures they keep working through sun exposure.
Safety reviews have been reassuring across the board. This ingredient shows low absorption through the skin, rarely irritates, and lab studies found it doesn't act like a hormone in the body (a concern that's been raised about some older sunscreen filters).
On maximum concentrations:
In 2026, the US F.D.A finally added it as an OTC sunscreen ingredient at concentrations up to 6% for adults / children 6 months and older
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineButylene 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 GlycolButyloctyl 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 SalicylateDibutyl Adipate is a lightweight, oil-soluble ester that acts as an emollient and solvent. It helps products spread more easily and leaves a soft, silky, dry-touch finish without being greasy.
You'll likely see this ingredient in sunscreens because it does a nice job dissolving UV filters and keeping them evenly distributed.
This ingredient has been found to be safe as used in cosmetics, wasn't a skin or eye irritant in clinical patch testing, and wasn't phototoxic.
In a clinical comedogenicity test, this ingredient tested negative so it isn't likely to clog pores.
Typical use levels are about 5-8% for sunscreens + nail products, but can range from 0.005%-8% depending on the product.
Learn more about Dibutyl AdipateDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Triazone (aka Octyl Triazone) is an oil-soluble organic UVB filter. It has peak absorption around 314 nm, right in the middle of the UVB range.
This ingredient is described as one of the most effective UVB filters available and small concentrations are enough to deliver a high SPF thanks to its strong UV absorbing power.
Formulators love it for its stability; its ability to filter UV stays practically unchanged even under intense radiation and it can also help boost the photostability of less stable filters like avobenzone.
It's also a great pick for water resistant products because it's insoluble in water and has a good affinity for keratin.
Because it's a big, heavy molecule, the European Scientific Committee has found to to have very low dermal penetration and negative results for allergenicity.
In vitro testing also showed a low absorption rate and clean results on irritation.
Typical use levels are 1-5% with 5% being the maximum in the EU, Japan, and other markets that allow it. However, this ingredient is not approved yet in the US or Canada.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl TriazoneIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate is an oil-soluble chemical UV filter whose main job is to soap up UVB rays (and a tiny bit in the UVA-II range).
It's essentially a cousin of the more common octinoxate. Because it has a cinnamate backbone, it also has some mild antioxidant + free-radical scavenging behavior.
In vitro work measuring its UV-protective efficacy and photostability among 18 EU-approved filters and a peer-review of cosmetic UV filters confirms it performs best as a UVB booster rather than a standalone sunscreen.
Typical use levels sit at or below the EU regulatory cap of 10%, and it usually runs anywhere from 2-10% depending on the target SPF.
This ingredient is approved across the EU, UK, Australia, China, India, and Asia but has not been cleared in the US or Canada yet. This is more of a regulatory backlog situation and not a safety red flag.
Learn more about Isoamyl P-MethoxycinnamatePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolysilicone-15 (trade name: Parsol SLX) is a silicone-based UVB filter that soaks up UVB light (~280-320nm) with a peak around 310nm.
It's a fairly modest sunscreen filter so formulators mostly use it as an SPF booster and "light stabilizer". This just means it helps keep other light-sensitive ingredients from breaking down in sunlight.
A 2007 study measured the in-vitro SPF of 18 filters and found Polysilicone-15 contributed an SPF of about 3.64 at its maximum legal concentration (though worth noting its maker points out that in-vitro tests tend to underestimate its real performance because of its large polymeric structure).
Usage levels vary; it's approved up to 10% as a UV filter in the EU, China, Japan, Australia, ASEAN, and Mercosur countries. In the US, it's only permitted up to 1% as a light stabilizer because the FDA hasn't reviewed it as a sunscreen active.
Typical use levels range from 1-3%.
The EU's scientific committee concluded that this ingredient is safe for use as a UV absorber up to 10%, and tests came back negative for irritation, phototoxicity, and photoallergy.
There is one case of allergic lip inflammation from a lip balm with this ingredient, though this is rare.
Learn more about Polysilicone-15Water. 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