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
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Olivate
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingOctadecene
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
BufferingHomosalate 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, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Olivate, Bisabolol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Octadecene, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyisobutene, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer
StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
Stabilising
Silica
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Acrylates Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Triethanolamine
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diisopropyl Adipate, PEG-8, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate, Silica, Tocopherol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Reviews
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl 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 (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol 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 TocopherolTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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
