What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isobutane
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberTrimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberArginine
MaskingPhysalis Pubescens Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSclareolide
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Amyl Salicylate
PerfumingPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantIsobutane, Water, Alcohol Denat., Dibutyl Adipate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenethyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Arginine, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Parfum, Sclareolide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Amyl Salicylate, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-15
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Leaf Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSolanum Virginianum Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Citrata Leaf Extract
AstringentOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Safflower Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingOrange Roughy Oil
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Oil
AstringentChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Methicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Vinyldimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ozokerite, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polysilicone-15, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Virginianum Extract, Mentha Citrata Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Safflower Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Orange Roughy Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Citral, Linalool
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
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 TriazineDibutyl 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 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 GlycerinIsopropyl Palmitate is a lightweight emollient made by combining isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
It is an emollient that leaves skin feeling smooth and silky without leaving a greasy feel.
Typical usage concentrations range from 1-5%.
Human testing shows it's non-irritating and non-sensitizing, and the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has cleared it at very high levels (79% in leave-on products).
The one thing worth knowing about its comedogenic score of 3-4 is to keep it in perspective: these ratings come from old rabbit-ear tests using 100% of pure ingredient and doesn't reflect how it behaves at low levels in a finished product.
Because it is an ester of palmitic acid (C16), it falls into the range that the Malassezia yeast can feed on and is considered not fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitateTocopherol 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