What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-20
CleansingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Distarch Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ceteareth-20, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Saccharide Isomerate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Coco-Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tromethamine
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Polyurethane-1
Sodium Stearoxy Pg-Hydroxyethylcellulose Sulfonate
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Niacinamide, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Silica, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tromethamine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Trehalose, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Carbomer, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Synthetic Wax, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dextrin Palmitate, Polyurethane-1, Sodium Stearoxy Pg-Hydroxyethylcellulose Sulfonate, Trihydroxystearin, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractThis 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 TriazineCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDibutyl 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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl 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 StearateWater. 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
