What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Drometrizole Trisiloxane 7%
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 2%
Skin Conditioning
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 0.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Perlite
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Trisodium 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 ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Cetearyl Olivate
Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate-13
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyisobutene
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Octocrylene, Cetearyl Olivate, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Madecassoside, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylate-13, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyisobutene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Reviews
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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateHomosalate 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 HomosalateOctocrylene 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 OctocryleneThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidWater. 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
