What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHomosalate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingGlycol
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiacetyl Boldine
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Panthenol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Diacetyl Boldine, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAvena Sativa Sprout Oil
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientGlyceryl Dibehenate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTribehenin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Decyl Glucoside, C10-18 Triglycerides, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Avena Sativa Sprout Oil, Benzoic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Glutamic Acid, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Xanthan Gum
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoatePotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphatePropylene 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 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