What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 3%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin Conditioning
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolybutene
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAroma
Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSqualane
Emollient
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Siraitia Grosvenorii Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Carvone
Masking
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Menthol
Masking
Methyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Vanillin
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Aroma, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cera Microcristallina, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Squalane, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Siraitia Grosvenorii Fruit Extract, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, BHT, Carvone, Cinnamal, Eugenol, Limonene, Menthol, Methyl Salicylate, Vanillin, CI 42090, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499
Homosalate 9%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Aroma
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Stevia Rebaudiana Extract
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Beeswax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Aroma, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Mica, Tocopherol, Stevia Rebaudiana Extract, Lauroyl Lysine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aroma refers to an ingredient, or mixture of ingredients, that impart or mask a flavor.
The name is slightly confusing. This is because INCI associates aroma with flavor instead of smell.
Here is the official definition from the The International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook:
“Aroma is a term for ingredient labeling used to identify that a product contains a material or combination of materials normally added to a cosmetic to produce or to mask a particular flavor.”
INCI shows the only purpose of aroma to be "flavouring".
However, due to regulation differences, some companies may use aroma in place of parfum.
In Canada, this ingredient only has to be listed in concentrations above 1%.
Learn more about AromaAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterEthylhexyl 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 HomosalateMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaRicinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.
Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.
Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.
Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed OilTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
