What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientBeheneth-25
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSucrose Dilaurate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantP-Anisic Acid
MaskingRibes Grossularia Fruit Extract
MoisturisingSpiraea Ulmaria Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Beheneth-25, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Squalane, Sucrose Dilaurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Pisum Sativum Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Isostearate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, BHT, P-Anisic Acid, Ribes Grossularia Fruit Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Leaf Extract, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 7%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyaspartate
Humectant7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Sorbitol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingSucrose
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquiisostearate
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dextrin Palmitate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Sodium Polyaspartate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Sucrose, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hexylene Glycol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolDisodium 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 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 SalicylateGlycerin 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 GlycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalatePhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl 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