What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Drometrizole Trisiloxane 7%
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 2%
Skin ConditioningPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 0.5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingPropanediol
SolventPerlite
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantTriethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDrometrizole Trisiloxane 7%, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 2%, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 0.5%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Propanediol, Perlite, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberAdipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingEthylparaben
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Tribehenin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Dimethiconol, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylparaben, Parfum, Ethylparaben, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipropylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panax Ginseng Root 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.
You might know this ingredient as Tinosorb S or Bemotrizinol. It is a UV filter that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
This ingredient has two peak UV absorption peaks ( 310 and 340 nm) and is able to absorb both UV-A and UV-B rays. This ingredient works by preventing UV rays from reaching and damaging your skin.
On top of that - it is highly photostable and helps prevent the photodegration of other sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone.
Tinosorb S is allowed in the EU, Australia, and Asia. It is close to being approved by the FDA and we'll hopefully get this ingredient in the U.S. by late 2026.
Fun fact: Tinosorb S is the most effective UV absorber at maximum concentration (measured by SPF) permitted in the EU.
This ingredient is oil-soluble, so your oil-cleansers will take this right off at night.
Learn more about Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineAlso 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (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 GlycerinOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneWater. 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