What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.9%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7.5%
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter
Emollient
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
C18-21 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Phosphate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Cladonia Rangiferina Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Methylheptylglycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyester-8
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSqualane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.9%, Octocrylene 7.5%, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Astrocaryum Tucuma Seed Butter, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C18-21 Alkane, Cetearyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Cladonia Rangiferina Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylheptylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Polyester-8, Propanediol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Squalane, Tocopherol, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Water, Xanthan Gum
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLauryl Lactate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Myroxylon Pereirae Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
Emollient
Coffea Arabica Seed Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Limonium Gerberi Extract
Skin ProtectingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Diisopropyl Adipate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Lauryl Lactate, Glycerin, Mica, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Ferulic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Santalum Album Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Myroxylon Pereirae Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limonium Gerberi Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneButyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.
According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.
Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.
Learn more about Butyloctyl SalicylateEthylhexyl 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateOctocrylene 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 OctocrylenePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
