What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 13%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 13%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Niacinamide, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, PEG-8 Laurate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Chlorphenesin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, P-Anisic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Homosalate 10%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Glycerin, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Polyethylene, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDisodium 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 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 GlycerinHomosalate 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 OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
