What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Flower Water
AstringentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.5%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.3%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Glycerin, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, T-Butyl Alcohol, Linalool, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Flower Water, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Glycolipids
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHomosalate 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 HomosalatePentylene 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 Water
