What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAcrylates Copolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveTromethamine
BufferingPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlumina
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningMenadione
MaskingCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Acrylates Copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentylene Glycol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Tromethamine, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Titanium Dioxide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Trisiloxane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Kaolin, Adenosine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Glycoproteins, Menadione, CI 77007
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAcrylates Copolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingQuaternium-18 Bentonite
Magnesium Sulfate
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingCanola Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientXylitol
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientValine
MaskingSqualane
EmollientThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
AntimicrobialSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Acrylates Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Silica, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Octocrylene, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Magnesium Sulfate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Canola Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Adenosine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactococcus Ferment, Propanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Xylitol, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glucose, Glycine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Alanine, Lysine, Phytosterols, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Proline, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Lecithin, Valine, Squalane, Threonine, Isoleucine, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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
Acrylates Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 SalicylateEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTitanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is one of only two UV filters officially classified as “mineral” 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 isn’t as strong as zinc oxide’s, 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 DioxideTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water