What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Polysilicone-11
Propanediol
Solvent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol Dicaprylate
EmollientAmylopectin
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Amylose
HumectantXylitol
Humectant
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaureth-12
EmulsifyingCellulose
Absorbent
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glucose
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Pinene
Masking
Parfum
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Tapioca Starch, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polysilicone-11, Propanediol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol Dicaprylate, Amylopectin, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyl Avocadate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Persea Gratissima Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Amylose, Xylitol, Zinc Gluconate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tocopherol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-12, Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Glucose, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Dimethyl Phenylethyl Carbinyl Acetate, Linalyl Acetate, Citral, Pinene, Parfum, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Tapioca Starch
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Oryza Sativa Starch, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diisopropyl Adipate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Benzoic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Glycine Soja Oil, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
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 an oil-soluble used to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays (peak 357 nm).
It's one of the most effective UVA filters available but has a major caveat of photostability: avobenzone is susceptible to photodegradation.
This means it can lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight without the help of a stabilizing agent.
Studies show antioxidants (like vitamin E or vitamin C) and some UV filters (like octocrylene and Tinosorb S) can meaningfully improve its stability in a formulation.
The maximum allowable concentration according to regulation is 3% in the US + Canada, and 5% in the EU, Australia, China, Korea, and ASEAN countries.
It has a well-support safety profile: a comprehensive 2025 review found minimal toxicity with no evidence of carcinogenicity.
Overall, avobenzone is a safe and regulated ingredient used in sunscreen for over 40 years.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinTapioca starch is a thickening agent and is made from the cassava root, also known as yucca.
According to a manufacturer, it is an excellent talc replacement.
It is gluten-free.
Learn more about Tapioca StarchTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 GumZinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.
This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.
