What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Glyceryl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Ponceau Sx
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Triethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Homosalate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Octocrylene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Decylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Glyceryl Hydroxystearate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Mica, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Ponceau Sx, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Water, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Citrate, CI 15985, Titanium Dioxide, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum
Homosalate 15%
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cera Alba
Emollient
Cetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
PEG-100 Stearate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHomosalate 15%, Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cera Alba, Cetyl Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, Parfum, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6, Water, 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAHomosalate 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 HomosalateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium 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 PhosphateTocopheryl 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 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
