What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 3%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-75 Stearate
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingBHT
AntioxidantErythorbic Acid
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSilica
AbrasivePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Isostearyl Palmitate
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingTetrasodium EDTA
Iron Oxides
Methylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 3%, Water, Titanium Dioxide, Isopropyl Isostearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, BHT, Erythorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Arginine, Silica, Polysorbate 20, PEG-100 Stearate, Isostearyl Palmitate, Sclerotium Gum, Polysilicone-11, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Iron Oxides, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
CleansingCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Eruca Sativa Leaf
AntioxidantGalactoarabinan
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArginine PCA
HumectantHoya Lacunosa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Benzophenone-3, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Boron Nitride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Triethyl Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Lauryl Glucoside, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Eruca Sativa Leaf, Galactoarabinan, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine PCA, Hoya Lacunosa Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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 Water