What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientDrometrizole Trisiloxane
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterSilica
AbrasiveDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-20
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Limonene
PerfumingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingIsocetyl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat., Isopropyl Palmitate, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, CI 42090, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Limonene, Menthoxypropanediol, Xanthan Gum, Linalool, Isocetyl Stearate, Parfum, Carbomer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, BHT, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glycerin
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 2%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPeucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasivePunica Granatum Extract
AstringentLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Carbomer, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexyl 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 MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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 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