What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lycium Chinense Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Octocrylene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrated Silica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lycium Chinense Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Water, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2.5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.5%
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide 7%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyethylene
Abrasive
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingOleth-3 Phosphate
SurfactantDisodium EDTA
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 2.5%, Octocrylene 2.5%, Zinc Oxide 7%, Water, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Steareth-21, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyacrylamide, Stearyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyethylene, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Behenyl Alcohol, DMDM Hydantoin, Cetyl Alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone, Laureth-7, Steareth-2, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Octocrylene is an oil-soluble organic UV filter that mainly absorbs UVB and short wave UVA II light.
Its real superpower is teamwork: octocrylene is remarkably photostable and is most famous for stabilizing avobenzone (the workhorse UVA filter).
This ingredient is commonly used to enhance both UVB and UVA protection due to its unique property in stabilizing avobenzone. It also pulls double duty by boosting water resistance and giving formulas a smooth, spreadable feel.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has deemed octocrylene to be safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10% (capped at 9% in propellant sprays). The US also permits it up to 10%.
Two things worth knowing:
You'll usually see this ingredient used in concentrations between 2-10% (higher amounts when used as a stabilizer for avobenzone).
Learn more about OctocryleneTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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
