What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Homosalate 15%
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene 10%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCera Alba
EmollientCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientParfum
MaskingPEG-100 Stearate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHomosalate 15%, Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cera Alba, Cetyl Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, Parfum, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6, Water, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberPolymethyl Methacrylate
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialArabidopsis Thaliana Extract
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ergothioneine
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrochloric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeResveratrol Dimethyl Ether
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Titanium Dioxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alcohol, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ergothioneine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrochloric Acid, Lecithin, Micrococcus Lysate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Plankton Extract, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Resveratrol Dimethyl Ether, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Hydroxide, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Tocopherol
Reviews
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 BHTAlso 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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexyl 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 SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glyceryl 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 ParfumSilica, 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 SilicaWater. 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