What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Caprylic Acid
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycol
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiacetyl Boldine
Skin Conditioning
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Homosalate, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Caprylic Acid, 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 ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
BHA
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingPotassium PCA
Humectant
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, BHA, Citric Acid, Arbutin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Panthenol, Ceteareth-12, Potassium PCA
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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
