What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.24%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 8%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2.4%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 4.48%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 2.88%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Silica
Abrasive
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.24%, Homosalate 8%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2.4%, Octocrylene 4.48%, Benzophenone-3 2.88%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Silica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Menthyl Lactate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 3%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 4%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsododecane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Chloride
MaskingNylon-12
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Quaternium-90 Bentonite
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 4%, Water, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isododecane, Methyl Trimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Butylene Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Chloride, Nylon-12, Phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, CI 77163, Iron Oxides, Tin Oxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalatePhenoxyethanol 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 Water
