What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Undecane
EmollientTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Tridecane
Perfuming
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyamide-3
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sclareolide
Masking
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingYogurt Powder
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Isoamyl Laurate, Dibutyl Adipate, Homosalate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Undecane, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Tridecane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyamide-3, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Lactic Acid, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sclareolide, Silica, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Yogurt Powder, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ultramarines
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Dimethicone
Emollient
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methyl Trimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ultramarines, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Boron Nitride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dimethicone, CI 77499, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycolDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is not within the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideDibutyl 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 TriazoneEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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
