What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethoxycinnamic Acid
StabilisingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAorta Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsohexadecane
EmollientSuccinic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingLysine Lauroyl Glutamate
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
BHT
AntioxidantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Methoxycinnamic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Aorta Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Isononyl Isononanoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Isohexadecane, Succinic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Lysine Lauroyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, BHT, T-Butyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
AbrasiveCannabis Sativa Seed Extract
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Leaf/Stem Extract
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAbies Alba Seed Extract
AntimicrobialPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf/Stem Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Abies Alba Seed Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Stearyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTThis 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 GlycolDiethylamino 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 BenzoateIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecanePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Sorbitan Oleate is a PEG-free emulsifier made by esterifying sorbitol with oleic acid.
You'll likely see it paired with Polysorbate 80 to create the right emulsification balance.
Typical use levels in formulas range from 2-10%.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient.
Since this ingredient is an ester of oleic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as âmineralâ by regulatory agencies, the other being zinc oxide.
Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection mostly in the UVB and UVAII range, with some protection in the UVAI range.
While its UVA protection isnât as strong as zinc oxideâs, the difference is minor.
A common myth is that mineral UV filters reflect UV light. However, modern research shows titanium dioxide absorbs UV radiation like chemical filters (~95% absorption & 5% reflection).
Thanks to its non-irritating nature, titanium dioxide is suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause "eye sting" like other sunscreen ingredients.
A major drawback of this ingredient is its white cast and thick texture. This is why mineral sunscreens often leave a white cast and are less cosmetically elegant than chemical/hybrid sunscreens.
To improve white cast and spreadability, micronized or nano-sized titanium dioxide is often used.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding nano-titanium oxide's impact on marine ecosystems.
There is no conclusive evidence that any form of titanium oxide (or any other sunscreen ingredients) will cause harm to marine ecosystems or coral reefs. The science is still developing but many consumers are keeping a close eye on this issue.
Please note, many destinations have reef-safety sunscreen rules. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands advises all visitors to use non-nano mineral sunscreens.
Nano mineral sunscreens once raised safety concerns about absorption into skin.
Extensive research has shown that they do not penetrate healthy or damaged skin; they remain safely on the surface and the top layer of dead skin (stratum corneum).
You'll likely find titanium dioxide bundled with alumina, silica, or dimethicone. These ingredients help make titanium dioxide highly photostable; this prevents it from interacting with other formula components under UV light.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideWater. 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