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 ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingP-Anisic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
PEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 13%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Niacinamide, Silica, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-8 Laurate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Titanium Dioxide 5%
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide 15%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsohexadecane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSilica
Abrasive
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Aluminum Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAlumina
Abrasive
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Titanium Dioxide 5%, Zinc Oxide 15%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Silica, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Alumina, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tocopherol, P-Anisic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate (DESM) is a photostabilizer, antioxidant, and SPF booster.
One of DESM's main roles is stabilizing UV filters, especially avobenzone. Avobenzone is notoriously unstable when exposed to sunlight. By enhancing the stability of these filters, DESM helps maintain the sunscreen's effectivess through wear. It also helps improve protection against long-wave UVA rays by increasing the wavelength of the formula.
Besides enhancing UVA protection, DESM can boost the SPF of high-SPF formulations by up to 5 units.
DESM also preserves the color integrity of cosmetic products and helps reduce the chance of yellowing of fading due to light exposure.
This ingredient is typically found in concentrations between 0.3% - 0.5%. There are currently no maximum usage limits by regulatory bodies.
Though this ingredient is a chemical UV filter, it can often be found in "100% mineral" sunscreens. This is due to regulatory loopholes.
Learn more about Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonatep-anisic acid is an aromatic compound that is naturally found in some plants. It is mainly used as a fragrance ingredient but also has preservative and antimicrobial properties.
The effectiveness of this ingredient as a preservative and antimicrobial depends on the pH (with more acidic being better). This is the reason you'll see this ingredient bundled with other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
This ingredient is a polymer made from acrylic acid esters and long-chain (C10–C30) alcohols.
It is used as an emulsion stabilizer and viscosity controlling agent. This helps products maintain a smooth and uniform texture.
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
