What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Homosalate 2%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Benzophenone-3 4%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientLauryl Lactate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Linalool
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate 2%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Benzophenone-3 4%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl Lactate, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycolipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Punica Granatum Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Sclerotium Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Homosalate 4%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2%
UV Absorber
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
EmollientHydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingMucor Miehei Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C15-23 Alkane
SolventCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningHomosalate 4%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Octocrylene 2%, Isododecane, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Parfum, Limonene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Mucor Miehei Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Silica, Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica, Butylene Glycol, C15-23 Alkane, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Linalool, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateHomosalate 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 HomosalateLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolRetinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateTocopheryl 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 Acetate
