What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Acrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diisopropyl Adipate, PEG-8, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate, Silica, Tocopherol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Acrylates Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Abronia Villosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCinchona Succirubra Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Vaccinium Oxycoccos Seedcake
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Sophora Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ProtectingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingIsohexadecane
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Acrylates Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Butyloctyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Silica, Beeswax, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Abronia Villosa Leaf Extract, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Oxycoccos Seedcake, Fructan, Glucose, Sophora Japonica Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, Potassium Sorbate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Coco-Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Isohexadecane, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate
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 Copolymer is used as a film-forming agent and texture enhancer.
After applied, Acrylates Copolymer forms a thin film cover that helps skin feel more soft. It can help sunscreens become more water-resistant.
It is also used to make a product more thick.
Learn more about Acrylates CopolymerAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 2025.
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 and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
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 SalicylateSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
