What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Olivate
Bisabolol
Masking
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Octadecene
SolventSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyisobutene
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantHomosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Stearyl Dimethicone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Olivate, Bisabolol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Silica, Octadecene, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyisobutene, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDiisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carnitine
CleansingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDimethicone
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientEthylcellulose
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Disodium EDTA
Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Butyloctyl Salicylate, Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carnitine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Dimethicone, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylcellulose, Glyceryl Behenate, Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cellulose Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Disodium EDTA, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHomosalate 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 HomosalateHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
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. 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
