What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Octocrylene 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid 2%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Arginine, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Laureth-23, Caprylyl Glycol, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyaspartate
Humectant7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Sorbitol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sucrose
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
PPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dextrin Palmitate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Sodium Polyaspartate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Sucrose, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hexylene Glycol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateCaprylyl 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
