What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Methylparaben
PreservativeTrisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCreatine
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingMalpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Juice
Skin ConditioningFragaria Ananassa Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Juice
AstringentRubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Juice
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Distarch Phosphate, Octocrylene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Methylparaben, Trisodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Creatine, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Citrus Limon Juice, Trideceth-9, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Mangifera Indica Juice, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Juice, Rubus Fruticosus Juice, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, Bisabolol, Sodium Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Triceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPEG-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHomosalate
Skin ConditioningBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPetrolatum 0.4%
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Cyclohexasiloxane, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, PEG-100 Stearate, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Polysorbate 80, PEG-2 Stearate, Glycol Stearate, Tromethamine, Homosalate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Petrolatum 0.4%, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Parfum, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocryleneParfum 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 ParfumThis ingredient is more commonly known as Ensulizole, a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
Ensulizole mainly protects UV-B (290-340 nm) but offers a little UV-A (320-400 nm) protection. It is often paired with less photo-stable sunscreen ingredients due to its photo-stability.
Due to it being water-soluble, Ensulizole helps give sunscreens a light and non-oily texture.
Ensulizole is approved worldwide:
Learn more about Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidSilica, 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