What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Niacinamide, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Jojoba Esters, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polymethyl Methacrylate
PEG-8
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Silica
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Silanetriol
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Phytic Acid
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Squalene
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, PEG-8, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Silica, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Titanium Dioxide, Glycine Soja Protein, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Silanetriol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Lactate, Beta-Sitosterol, Phytic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, CI 77891, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Lysolecithin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Squalene, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexyl 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 HomosalateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol 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
