This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
This chemical sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyisobutene
Glucose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Isododecane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Glycol
SolventAspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, CI 77891, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isononyl Isononanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Acrylates Copolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diisostearyl Malate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexyl Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Panthenol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyacrylate-13, Stearic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyisobutene, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Butylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Isododecane, Octyldodecanol, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Ceramide NP, Benzyl Glycol, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Behenyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, CI 77492, CI 77491
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dextrin Palmitate, Octocrylene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateDiisostearyl Malate is an emollient and most often used in lip products. It comes from isostearyl alcohol, a fatty acid, and malic acid, an AHA.
As an emollient, Diisostearyl Malate helps create a thin film on your skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Water. 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
